Mills Makes his Mark; Signs Hardaway to Heavy Contract

The Phil Jackson era in New York has come and gone.

Unfortunately for many Knicks fans, many of Phil’s bad decisions are still here.

Carmelo Anthony and his no-trade clause can hold the Knicks hostage in any potential trade talks.

The team passed on Malik Monk and Dennis Smith for a dude whose biggest plus was that he fits the triangle, a system on which Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek is only quasi-committal.

And, of course, there's the gigantic albatross that is Joakim Noah's contract.

While these situations still pose major problems for the Knickerbockers going forward, the team headed in the right direction when it kicked Jackson out the door.

To be sure, the Zen Master is arguably right there with Red Auerbach as the best coach in the history of the league.

But a great coach does not a good executive make.

Everybody loves to make fun of Melo, but going after Kristaps Porzingis because he stood you up?

Come on, bro.

Now that Jackson's been kicked to the curb, it's up to Knicks GM Steve Mills to rebuild the Mecca of basketball. And what happened?

Dude laid a mega-brick in free agency.

Mills penned former Knick and current Atlanta Hawks Restricted Free Agent (RFA) Tim Hardaway Jr to a 4-year; $71million offer sheet.

Yes, you read that right.

The New York Knicks just signed Tim Hardaway Jr for $71million.

For those who -- most understandably -- haven't been keeping track:

• Under Phil Jackson, the Knicks traded Hardaway to the Atlanta Hawks for Jerian Grant;
• Grant was then subsequently traded in the Derrick Rose deal; which means
• The team will have to renounce his rights in order to sign Hardaway, who still
• Gets a 15% kicker on whatever's left of his contract if he's traded.

The Knicks, everybody!

Hardaway's a decent player and everything. Dude averages 14.5 points and 2.8 boards a game. But he's not $17.75million-a-year good.  

If the Hawks don’t match, which Knicks fans shouldn’t expect to happen, the Knickerbockers will have $73.51million tied up this season in Hardaway, Melo, Noah, and Courtney Lee alone.

Hopefully for Mills and the many beleaguered Knicks fan, Hardaway can live up to the contract.

But given the fact that Hardaway is already 25, it is pretty likely that he's already at his peak value.

Look on the bright side Knicks fans.

With Jimmy Butler and Paul George being traded, it is quite likely that the Unicorn will be an All-Star this season.

So you've got that to look forward to.

But that's just about it.