The New York Knicks had a successful offseason despite striking out on key free agents. Here are three takeaways from the eventful 2019 offseason.
The New York Knicks finished the 2018-19 season with the worst record in the NBA, the best odds at landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and cap space to sign two maximum contract free agents such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
A big three of Durant, Irving and No. 1 pick Zion Williamson would pivot the Knicks from bottom feeders to championship contenders in just a matter of weeks.
That didn’t quite happen, however. The Knicks fell to the third pick in the draft and selected R.J. Barrett, Williamson’s Duke teammate, and neither Durant nor Irving signed with the Knicks in free agency.
Instead, the Knicks signed Elfrid Payton, Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington and a slew of power forwards including Bobby Portis, Julius Randle, Marcus Morris and Taj Gibson.
Every new addition, excluding Randle and Morris, signed a two-year deal with a team option on the second year, giving the Knicks flexibility entering the 2020 NBA offseason. Randle signed a three-year deal with a team option on the third year, while Morris signed a one-year deal.
A potential starting five for next season could consist of Dennis Smith Jr., Barrett, Kevin Knox, Randle and Mitchell Robinson, according to ESPN. The Knicks will continue on their rebuilding path and put the team’s and fans’ hopes and dreams of winning an NBA title aside for the near future.
As the 2019 offseason is concluding, here are three takeaways from the Knicks’ eventful summer.