NBA organizations, fans, and reporters all look forward to media day. Aside from giving us a first glance at the teams and their new acquisitions, it is an opportunity for the players to speak about their off-season experiences and hopes for the upcoming season. However, media day is dreaded by some fanbases—including the New York Knicks, who have become synonymous with offseason failure.
In its recent history, the New York Knicks have closed in on landing a superstar every summer, but the negotiations never reach the ink on the dotted line. Some call it a curse, as the organization seems to fail in every possible way, whether it is free agency or the draft. The prime example is in the 2019 offseason when the New York Knicks lost to the Nets and the Clippers in the bids for Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard. They were also given the second pick in the draft and missed out on college superstar Zion Williamson.
The New York Knicks look to put an underwhelming summer behind them.
I’m FED UP with the Knicks! pic.twitter.com/NX8kZnc2BA
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 15, 2021
This past summer was not any different, as the blue and orange were in discussions to land all-star Donovan Mitchell from Utah. In the end, Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Knicks’ most notable move was the acquisition of Jalen Brunson from Dallas, who, while a solid player, is not the superstar the Knicks want to boast about in Madison Square Garden.
Free agent guard Jalen Brunson has agreed to a four-year, $104 million deal with the New York Knicks, his agents Aaron Mintz and Sam Rose of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option on the final season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022
As Lady Luck continues to spite the Knicks and their superstar aspirations, the players look to be in good spirits as they enter the 2022-23 season. The third-year player, RJ Barrett, whom the Knicks drafted from Duke in 2019, signed a four-year, $120 million extension. “During the summer, that was the last thing I was thinking about,” Barrett told the media about his contractual situation. “I was just trying to get better and enjoy life.” During his first two years with the Knicks, Barrett proved to be one of their key players, which not only makes him valuable on the court but also on paper as a trade piece.
Uncertainty about his future in the Big Apple came with the team’s thirst for star players, but in late August, the Canadian national finalized the deal to stay in Manhattan for the foreseeable future. “I’m very happy, very thankful that I was able to re-sign,” Barrett stated. “I’ve always wanted to be here. Definitely excited and definitely thankful.” The Knicks also re-signed four-year center Mitchell Robinson to a four-year deal for $60 million.
https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1574398381631639553
The New York Knicks have reasons to be optimistic for next season.
After spending the first four years of his career with the Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson enters the fifth chapter of his NBA journey as a Knick. Given the team’s tough history, Brunson looks to be prepared for the challenge of playing for New York City. “Most of all, I just want to be myself,” Brunson mentioned. “Not a savior in any way, shape, or form. I just want to be able to contribute to the team and help this team win games. ”
Last season, Brunson averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in the regular season. He also averaged 21.6 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in the post-season, playing a big role in Dallas’ run to the Western Conference Finals. “I like the group,” Brunson commented about his new team. “I can’t wait to build more chemistry with these guys. I can’t wait to see what we can unlock. I’m really excited.”
https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1574412617237630980
Other key returning players include veterans Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, and Evan Fournier, as well as young, promising talents such as Obi Toppin and Cam Reddish. With training camp in full swing, the Knicks put the roller coaster of the offseason aside and focused on the task at hand. The Knicks have only made it to the playoffs once in the past nine seasons, in a first-round exit against Atlanta in 2021.
However, the New York Knicks will try to make their case as a contender in a tough Eastern Conference, as they do every year. The players look to have more success on the court than their organization does in the front office and they may have chips on their shoulders, but they have smiles on their faces as the season approaches.