What I Believe Should Be the Knicks Top 3 Offseason Moves

 

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With the Celtics securing their 18th NBA championship this past Monday, it is officially time for every franchise to focus their energy and attention on how to improve their teams this offseason.

How each team will attack the offseason is based on several variables. Two of the most important are the current state of the roster and the team’s cap space.

As a fan of the New York Knicks, I can say with confidence the 2023-2024 roster is arguably the best Knicks team in the last two decades. What hurts the most is we never got to see the true potential of this team due to a plethora of injuries, both in the regular and postseason. Many experts and fans thought that if the Knicks were at 100% health during the playoffs, they would have not only beaten the Indiana Pacers in the 2nd round, but they would have given Boston a run for their money in the Eastern Conference Finals.

When a team is in a situation like the Knicks, they generally want to keep as much of that roster together as possible going into next season.

With that being said, here are, in my opinion, the top 3 priorities for the Knicks this offseason.

1. Extend Jalen Brunson

Back in the summer of 2022, Jalen Brunson signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks. Considering how Brunson has played over the last 2 seasons, especially this past season, this contract might be the biggest bargain in the NBA.

Brunson has skyrocketed beyond the Knicks’ wildest expectations and their number one priority should be to extend his contract.

Extending Brunson this offseason is crucial for the Knicks' cap space. Starting on July 12th, Brunson is eligible to sign a four-year contract extension worth $156 million. However, if he opts to wait until the next offseason, he can sign a five-year deal valued at $270 million.

SNY reporter Ian Begley had this to say about the situation. “Getting to know a little bit about Brunson over the past two years, I expect him to listen earnestly when he and the Knicks sit down for extension negotiations. If I’m placing a bet today, Brunson and the Knicks will ultimately agree to terms on an extension, but it will not be guaranteed for the full four years.”

2. Re-sign OG Anunoby

OG Anunoby proved to be a vital part of this Knicks roster when he came in a mid-season trade from Toronto. OG is the best perimeter defender and one of the best three-point shooters on the Knicks.

Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby played in only twelve games together this past season. Although a small sample size, the Knicks went 11-1 in that stretch. That begs the question, how many games would the Knicks win in the regular season if these three played 50+ games together?

OG Anunoby will not come at a cheap price, as many experts predict he will be worth somewhere in the ballpark of $35 million a year. However, it is obvious he filled a necessary gap for the Knicks when they traded for him. Given these financial constraints, and with the implication that signing him would free up cap space, pursuing Bojan Bogdanovic may not be feasible. Re-signing OG should still be a no-brainer.

3. Re-sign Isaiah Hartenstein

Back on December 11th, Mitchell Robinson injured his ankle, which required surgery, and was inactive until March 27th.

At the time, this was a crushing blow for the Knicks, but little did the organization and fans know, this would turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as Robinson’s injury allowed Isaiah Hartenstein to prove his worth.

Hartenstein’s play from December through the end of the Knicks postseason run was beyond the expectations of everyone. Hartenstein demonstrated his toughness as a rim protector, excelled in offensive rebounding, and showcased a beautiful floater.

Like Anunoby, signing Hartenstein will cost a pretty penny. His play drew the attention of many teams and he will likely be a hot commodity this off-season, projected to be worth about $18 million per year. Now here comes a tough pill to swallow. In order to have the cap space to re-sign Hartenstein, the Knicks will likely need to move on from a current member of the roster. Unfortunately, in this case, it would most likely be Mitchell Robinson. While I love Mitch, the reality is, he has a very hard time staying healthy and Hartenstein is a much better offensive player than Mitch.

Conclusion

Knicks have a crucial offseason ahead to build on their recent success. Prioritizing a contract extension for Jalen Brunson, re-signing OG Anunoby, and securing Isaiah Hartenstein are essential moves to maintain and enhance the team's competitive edge. By addressing these key areas, the Knicks can position themselves for a deep playoff run and potentially a championship in the near future.

What do you think the Knicks need to prioritize this offseason? Comment below.