The New York Knicks had a surprisingly good year, finishing 47-35 across the regular season and advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
The Knicks’ season may have ended in disappointment, falling to the Miami Heat in six games, but the year as a whole has given the franchise something substantial to build on. Here’s a look at how New York can improve this summer following a successful season.
New York Knicks’ upcoming free agents
• Derrick Rose (has a team option for next season) • Josh Hart (has a player option for next season) • Miles McBride (has a team option for next season) • Trevor Keels (restricted free agent) • Duane Washington Jr. (restricted free agent)
Hart will most likely be returning to the Knicks this summer after a successful tenure with the team, but the question is how. Hart could decline his $13 million player option and sign a new contract with New York, or he could accept the option and the two sides could agree to an extension off of that. The Knicks’ preference would probably be to sign an extension with Hart, allowing them to pay Hart less money next season and secure him on a five-year deal.
Rose’s team option will likely be declined as he’s fallen out of New York’s rotation. However, Rose and the Knicks may agree on a veteran minimum deal if Rose is content with not being a regular rotation member. McBride will most likely be returning on his $1.8 million team option, while Keels and Washington Jr. could also be brought back on two-way deals.
New York Knicks: Free Agent Targets
The Knicks will likely have a $10 million exception to sign free agents, allowing them to add a rotation member if needed. Here are some potential targets for New York to consider.
• Donte DiVincenzo
• Seth Curry
DiVincenzo had an underrated season for the Warriors, averaging 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game while shooting at a near 40% clip from beyond the three-point line. If Golden State were to let him walk, a possibility considering their tight financial situation, DiVincenzo would be an ideal addition to New York providing much-needed shooting and defense off the bench.
Curry is another elite shooter who could be let go by Brooklyn considering their financial situation and other factors as well. He’s not as elite of a defender as DiVincenzo, but his sharpshooting prowess has made him a coveted role player for the majority of his career.
DiVincenzo’s two-way skills likely make him New York’s preferred target, but the Knicks would be happy to land either of these players in free agency.
Option One:
The NBA trade market appears relatively weak, at least for now, with most available stars requiring an overpay to be acquired. Still, a big offseason upgrade might be necessary if New York hopes to reach new and higher expectations for next season.
DeRozan would be an exciting yet safe option, as, despite his all-star status, his trade value isn’t that high because of his age and expiring contract.
The Bulls may be willing to part with the six-time all-star and undergo a rebuild following a disappointing season. This should be seen as a decent package from Chicago’s perspective, acquiring two intriguing prospects in Obi Toppin and Miles McBride, as well as a first-round pick and Evan Fournier for salary-matching purposes.
If the Bulls’ front office agrees, DeRozan would be a great acquisition for New York, providing the scoring and playmaking help that Jalen Brunson desperately needed in this year’s playoffs.
Option Two:
If New York fails to land a star, it would still be helpful to move some pieces on the roster, including Toppin. The 25-year-old has failed to meet the expectations of a lottery pick, and almost to no fault of his own, as he’s received very few opportunities being Julius Randle’s backup. A change of scenery may be what’s best for both Toppin and the Knicks as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Indiana would provide Toppin with the opportunity he needs as they have a vacancy at the power-forward spot. Toppin is a much more intriguing prospect than other fours on Indiana’s roster because of his elite athleticism and quietly developing perimeter game.
From the Knicks’ perspective, they’d acquire two draft picks, one of which is a first-round pick in what’s shaping up to be one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory. They’d also manage to get Toppin’s rookie deal off the books, a small but nice bonus.
Draft Options
The Knicks do not currently own a 2023 draft pick, so here, we will assess New York’s options assuming they make the aforementioned Toppin trade, which would have them landing the 29th selection.
In terms of positional needs, New York will be looking for a shooting guard, although they may find one elsewhere. They also may be looking for a power forward to replace Toppin in this scenario. Here are some prospects New York should look to target at those positions.
• Leonard Miller
• Brandin Podziemski
• Gregory Jackson
Leonard Miller is a somewhat typical power forward on the G-League level, though he may need to add some size to maintain that playstyle in the NBA. His defensive versatility and hard-nosed attitude should translate, however, as he averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game for the G-League Ignite.
Brandin Podziemski is a pure sharpshooter coming from the Santa Clara Broncos. Podziemski performed well as the Broncos’ star player, averaging 20 points per game on 48% shooting from the field and 43% shooting from beyond the arc. He could provide a spark off the Knicks’ bench in limited minutes, and earn more of a role as his game outside of shooting progresses.
Gregory Jackson played power forward in college but is more of a wing capable of playing the four. He thrives attacking off the dribble using his speed to get to the rim, and he’s shown flashes of an outside shooting game, although there’s certainly room for improvement there. As the youngest player in his class, Jackson has a high ceiling and is worth taking a chance on by the Knicks late in the first round.
Overall, the Knicks have a variety of options this summer with a haul of future first-rounders and young prospects at their disposal. The key will be finding ways to improve now while maintaining those assets for when a true franchise player comes along.