New York Knicks: 2019-20 NBA season preview

Storyline 3: Did the front office learn from the offseason?

The New York Knicks offseason didn’t go as they had hoped. They pivoted to bring in some veterans to help the young guys, but they missed out on some great opportunities to do that while also adding future assets as well.

This offseason we saw multiple veterans traded for future draft compensation. Kyle Korver, Andre Iguodala and Dwight Howard, to name a few. Maurice Harkless was also shopped along with a first-round draft pick before being included in a massive four-team deal that involved the Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.

Those are opportunities that Mills and Perry should have jumped at.

Even if they ended up buying out those veterans and not holding onto them for the season, it would have been worthwhile. New York is in asset collecting mode. The more draft picks they have in the future the better. If the opportunity presents itself, they cannot miss out on that kind of opportunity again.

All of the players that signed this offseason, outside of Julius Randle, are one 1+1 deals. That makes them good trade targets for contending teams looking to bolster their roster. If teams are willing to part with future draft picks, the Knicks have to jump at that opportunity, even if it means taking on future salary.

The 2020 free agency class isn’t a strong one. 2021 is when teams will be gearing up for another potential difference-making free agency period. As a result, the front office should be more than willing to take on money for the 2020 season if they can add good draft capital.

In addition to all of their draft picks, the Knicks also own two first-round picks from the Dallas Mavericks. The more draft picks they have, the more avenues they have to improve the roster.