Knicks' to-do list: 5 things to keep an eye on this offseason
Knicks forward Julius Randle goes up for a shot against Heat forward Caleb Martin during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA second-round playoff series Friday in Miami. Credit: AP/Wilfredo Lee
The Knicks were here just two years ago, celebrating a playoff berth and confident that they were on their way to annual contender status. Then the bottom dropped out the next season. But even with this season’s disappointing ending fresh in their minds, the Knicks know this group is far more advanced.
With last summer’s successful free-agent haul of Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein and the in-season trade for Josh Hart, the Knicks now have the type of players they want, and their 47-win season and berth in the conference semifinals was not an aberration. But there still are steps to take to move from an underdog playoff team to a legitimate title contender.
1. RANDLE SITUATION
Julius Randle earned third-team All-NBA honors, the second time in the last three seasons he’s been named to an All-NBA team. So he’s the kind of star the Knicks have wanted, right? But having Randle and Brunson as some combination of 1 and 1A does not give them the clear superstar needed. And maybe most important, there are whispers among some close to the organization that Randle is not the leader in the locker room that you’d want from your top scorer.
So is Randle a building block, or could his very reasonable contract be the foundation of a trade for that next big star? A CAA client and a University of Kentucky product, he’d seem to have a pedigree that the front office won’t cut ties with, but to get a star, you have to give one, and maybe there is a better fit to play beside Brunson.
2. DEVELOPMENT
Before the Knicks worry about chasing another star, they have to continue to work on the development of their young core. Quentin Grimes excelled on the defensive end in his first full season, taking on the task of defending the opposition’s best perimeter threat every game. On offense, he’s regarded as the best three-point shooter on the roster, and he shot 38.6% this season. But there is more that he has shown hints of — passing, getting to the rim and drawing fouls — that definitely can take a step forward.
At just 22 years old, RJ Barrett is in a similar position, excelling in some areas and just beginning to show the passing off drives that coach Tom Thibodeau has been preaching for him to do. Grimes, Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have shown growth and development.
3. STAR SEARCH
The Knicks’ pursuit of Donovan Mitchell last summer in a trade was the league’s worst-kept secret, so don’t be surprised if another chase is on this summer. With the team likely holding only a $12.2 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception as an available spot, it will have to come in a trade.
The target is not so clear, though. Does Joel Embiid ask out if James Harden bolts Philadelphia for Houston? Do the Clippers move on from Paul George? Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s timeline different from Oklahoma City’s? Zach LaVine out of Chicago? Will a new coaching staff in Toronto part with OG Anunoby? Before you consider Karl-Anthony Towns, take a look at how his contract escalates in the coming years — ending with a player option for $62 million in the 2027-28 season.
4. IN-HOUSE BUSINESS
Evan Fournier made it clear he expects to be traded, and that expiring $18.9 million contract is a decent trade piece. The Knicks also have to decide whether to pick up the $15.6 million team option on Derrick Rose’s contract — unlikely — by June 24. Hart is the biggest decision, though. He has a $12.9 million player option — but if he opts in, it becomes non-guaranteed.
Thibodeau has made it clear he wants Hart back, so the Knicks could either offer a new contract or he could opt in and the Knicks could sign him to a contract extension off of that deal, providing them with more flexibility this summer.
5. EXTENSIONS?
Most important, the Knicks don’t have to do anything with the contracts of Quickley and Obi Toppin. Both are eligible for extensions this summer, but the team may be best served by holding off for another season. Toppin’s fit has never taken hold, and while fans — or critics — may try to blame Thibodeau, remember that the players who produce have gotten plenty of time as young players (Quickley, Grimes, Barrett, Mitchell Robinson). Toppin has not reached the defensive levels required or shown the ability to create his own shot and forge openings for teammates.
Quickley excelled this season before running into a postseason slump and then missing the final three games with a sprained ankle. Rather than extending him off this regular season, the Knicks could wait to see the progress that comes next season — or include him in a deal in which he can become the starter he won’t be in New York.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
