Points in the Paint NBA Podcast: The 10 Best Individual Seasons of the 21st Century

As Cleveland looks to unload a disgruntled Kyrie Irving, the Knicks have emerged as a possible destination. However, it appears that the Cavaliers are more interested in bringing on Porzingis than they are Carmelo Anthony. After all, the 22-year-old is set to make just $4.5 million compared to Anthony's $26.2 salary for 2017-18.

With averages of 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, Porzingis' 0.3 nERD ranked third on the Knicks and was much better than Anthony's mark of -0.7. On the other hand, it is far worse than Irving's 8.2 nERD this past season.

As Detroit's coach and President of Basketball Operations, you have to think that Van Gundy is entirely in tune with what ownership is looking to do moving forward. Assuming that's the case, the Pistons would likely offer Bradley a max deal in free agency next season. Such a deal would presumably put the Pistons over the projected tax line ($123 million) if they were to retain all their current assets.

In 2016-17, Bradley averaged a career-high 16.3 points per game on 46.3% shooting and 39% from deep. His -1.4 nERD represented the third-best season of his career but ranked 133rd of all NBA guards a year ago.

Just a week ago, Drummond acknowledged that he did not live up to the expectations of his new contract extension. However, it looks like the big man's doing all he can do better himself this offseason. He's undergone surgery to repair a sinus issue that has prevented him from playing for longer periods of time and keeping weight off. Now that the problem has been rectified, Drummond says that he's in better shape and will look to improve his range in 2017-18.

Drummond's 29.7 minutes per game were the lowest since his rookie year. In addition, he shot just 38.6% from the free throw line and 2-of-7 from three in 2016-17. Nonetheless, his 3.5 nERD was second-best on the team and 29th among all centers.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Van Gundy said that he envisions Marjanovic and Jon Leuer as a "two-headed monster" behind starting center Andre Drummond. While Leuer is expected to play most of his minutes from the four spot, Marjanovic will stay in the lineup for longer periods of time, as Van Gundy vows to leave him compete against smaller lineups.

With Aron Baynes gone, Marjanovic should exceed 293 minutes and the 8.4 per game he averaged a year ago. In that limited time, the 7'3" Serbian put together a 2.4 nERD, which ranked 40th of 119 center-eligible players in numberFire's database.

After two productive seasons in New York, the 22-year-old Porzingis has become the face of the Knicks' franchise moving forward. He is now under contract for 2017 and 2018, in which he'll make $4.5 million and $5.7 million in consecutive seasons. It's very important that the Knicks keep him locked down with Carmelo Anthony likely playing elsewhere by the beginning of the 2017-18 season.

This past season, in 66 games, Porzingis averaged 18.1 points per game on 45% shooting from the floor and 35.7% from three-point land. His 0.3 nERD was third on the team and 80th of 275 NBA forwards.

It's become quite apparent that Anthony would like to be moved to the Houston Rockets, but the Knicks aren't keen on the idea of adding Ryan Anderson, who would need to go to New York to ensure enough cap space for Anthony in Houston. The reports suggests that the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers are among those teams waiting for Anthony to expand his list.

In 74 starts, Anthony managed averages of 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 34.3 minutes per game. However, his -0.7 nERD wasn't all that awe-inspiring as he ranked 163rd of 275 forwards in the 2016-17 season.