The Knicks, buoyed by the free agent acquisition of Jalen Brunson, had one of their best seasons in the last two decades. They won 47 regular season games, defeated Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs and lost to eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Now, the plan is to keep the momentum going into next season. Compared to last summer, the Knicks have had a relatively quiet offseason.
Perhaps the biggest offseason development was Josh Hart picking up his player option of $12.9MM, a somewhat surprising move that kept the valuable contributor off the market. He could eventually sign a lucrative extension.
The biggest offseason acquisition was guard Donte DiVincenzo, another all-around stat stuffer who was signed to a four-year deal via the mid-level exception.
New York also resolved the Obi Toppin dilemma by dealing him to Indiana. The former lottery pick could get more playing time with the Pacers after getting stuck behind Julius Randle in the Knicks’ pecking order.
DiVincenzo is a nice rotation pickup but not the star that some fans are hoping the front office will add. While the Knicks have been linked to some big names in recent months — Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, among others — it appears the Knicks are content to run it back with a couple of tweaks.
Still, it’s tough to think the Knicks are done, if only because Evan Fournier is still on the roster. He’s essentially on an expiring contract, considering his $19MM salary for 2024/25 includes a club option. Fournier has no future in New York and expects to be off the roster before opening night.
The leads us to today’s topic: What do you think of the Knicks’ offseason thus far? Are they good enough to contend for the Eastern Conference title or should they make a big move to improve their chances?
Take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
It’s the belief (I agree) another splash (no cannonball here) needed to fill the backup PF for Randle… lack of faith in Roby…and solving the Fournier situation…settle these two on the things to do list and the Knicks will be in pretty good shape
It’s the belief (I agree) another splash (no cannonball here) needed to fill the backup PF for Randle… lack of faith in Roby…and solving the Fournier situation…settle these two on the things to do list and the Knicks will be in pretty good shape
They obviously aren’t good enough.
They might be a good place for Herro to end up, give a couple picks, Fourniers contract plus filler
If DiVincenzo is your big pickup, you are in trouble. He wilted down the stretch as he was given more playing time for GSW. Doesn’t have “it”.
Offseason has been fine. I’d grade it as a B. Going in, they needed to: 1) re-sign Hart, 2) use the Non-Txp MLE to add a quality piece that fits, 3) make decisions on their rising RFAs, IQ and Toppin, and 4) overall, upgrade their 3 pt shooting at the rotation level. Sorry, but what to do with Fournier is a big issue for Fournier, but not the Knicks. Anway, 1 & 2 are done. On 3, the resolution on Toppin was rushed, IMO, but no big deal as he had little value, and maybe they wanted to accommodate him.
Issue that Remain: Balancing the roster, post-Toppin, to add a 4 or 3/4. Deciding what to do on IQ (extend, trade or hold). Deciding if they can further upgrade 3 pt shooting beyond just adding DiV. A deal that can tie all that together would be great, but that being available is really outside their control.
The Knicks to get the Nova Knicks Back together. Offer RJ, IQ, Sims, several picks for Bridges. That the star player they need.
BKN values Bridges too highly to trade him. Besides, he’s not a star, and, in any case, as soon as he puts on a Knick uniform, he won’t be considered a star.
I love Brooklyn Bridges. He’s a star in the making. Only going to get better. Nets aren’t trading him Ever …..
“Brooklyn Bridges”
The Net’s would be foolish to turn down that deal. They could start all 3 if they want and still have an army of wings to cover Bridges spot.
As much as the Knicks are paying Fournier I’d say it’s a big deal to resolve his situation. I think Thibodaux holds on to him because he gets some perverse enjoyment out of ruining the man’s career. All because Fournier didn’t take his benching quietly.
Fournier was a good soldier until the off-season. Knicks are right not to trade him just for his sake, though. He’s key to completing a big trade once the right one materializes. The team option works in everyone’s favor, as the Knicks could pick it up and extend their star-trade window by another year and give him an undeserved big payday.
I agree, a B grade is in order. While a small step forward this off-season (but the chemistry is large), no need just yet to bring in an ace when the kids need that court time to prove themselves. This year everyone needs to earn their spot, or trades will happen. Anything less than getting past the second round will have its consequences.
Truthfully, as long as Thibs continues to be rigid with his rotations, they won’t make that mark. Even in Chicago, in a much weaker East with the MVP on their squad, Thibs’ Bulls barely managed that and then got gentlemen’s swept by the no-depth Heat. And I’d take the Rose-Deng-Noah Bulls over this Knicks team, as incredible as Brunson has been. He’s a great regular season coach, but in the postseason his rigid sets and lack of adjustments hurts more than it helps.
Kids I’m referring too are primarily Grimes and IQ. If they don’t show that the ceiling can move higher, either deal them or reduce minutes/salary expectations and look for that other ace the team could use.
Yeah, I got that. I was responding to the comment thread in general, and the assertion that they have to get past the second round. I like Grimes and Quickley, especially, but Robinson and Barrett have to show they can step up too. Robinson in taking a larger role close to the basket, and Barrett with improving his accuracy and shot selection. I’m not a believer in Thibs, though. He’s a great coach, but not a great playoff coach. Kind of like Doc Rivers without the choke jobs.
I don’t know how “solving” the Obi Toppin dilemma is a positive. It is a net negative loss that wanst needed.
I heard the audio of Toppin and Thibs argument. So off the court it may be a gain but on the court having a under played good back up PF was not a dilemma.
Other than the Toopin debacle, the Knicks had a really good offseason. Divencenzo and Hart are some of the most Thibsiest players in the League.
Where is the audio of Toppin and Thibs’s argument? Would love to hear it.
Who will wind up in Thibodaux’s house this year. Last year Fournier and Toppin spent time in it. Just hope Brunson stays out.
If Tibs benches Brunson we will have a new coach…Leon has been letting Tibs do his thing and not interfere..much to the detriment of Fourniers trade value…but doing anything but letting Brunson play 40 minutes a game will get Tibs fired
Well it was really just Toppin cursing out Thibs. Idk if that qualifies as an argument but I understand why Toppin and Thibs might not have a workable relationship.
YouTube, I think theboriginal link I heard was posted hear on hoopsrumors
Most people underestimate the impact of having the whole team together for multiple years in a row. Getting better isn’t just a matter of individuals upping their game, it’s also continuity, familiarity, and working on team concerns (passing, player movement switching on defense, etc) that will improve this team.
Eight of the Knicks’ nine rotation players are back. Some of the younger ones will improve, nobody is on the wrong side of 30.
Most people here are 2k’ers. These concepts you speak of are foreign to the them.
For sure they need to trade away Fournier.
I assume the maximum value will come in the Lillard or Harden trades?
Spurs seems a logical destination, since they expressed interest in Fournier, another French player. McDermott, Bullock, Birch, Osman, Payne or even Collins could be the outgoing expiring salaries in such a multi-team trade.
First off, why are we suppose do something. We’re not here to please writers. Or even the fan base. This is a process that’s been going well. Rebuilding is not easy in NYC. It’s been three yrs. And we are now a Legit playoff team. We are a solid team with youth. We have assets to make a major move …..
So relax and let it happen. A big trade is coming. KAT is not a fit here. Freak Zach stay your ares in Chicago. Donovan is doing great in Cleveland. And no to Embiid, stay away. I rather have Rudy ..
Rudy or DeM DeR doesn’t break our bank or assets. And makes us a contender in the East. That’s where I go. Been saying DeM for a year now. I have faith in this regime to do the right thing. No need to rush into anything. Our process is actually working. No need to deviate now ……..
“In Thibs we Trust”