With the New York Knicks being eliminated in game five to Atlanta, what an impressive season the New York Knicks had with a 41-31 record exceeding expectations. What a great job Tom Thibodeau did and Julius Randle became an All Star and name Most Improve Player of the year.
RJ Barrett who came around this season still need to work on his right shot. In addition, Randle will work on his right side as well. Both of them left hand shot was working till the playoffs and it was really bad.
With the off-season what is next for New York and now how they will be prepared to go to the next level. With the Knicks performance this season and I saw the players playing to their potential. New York have $60 million in the cap and they can land some top free agents.
Now who should the New York Knicks consider in the free agent market that can help them get to the next stage.
Jarrett Allen – He is a restricted free agent, Allen was acquired from Brooklyn in a four team deal for James Harden. He’s averaging a near double-double with Cleveland with 12.8 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. Add in plus-level defense and the ability to rim protect, and block shots. He will be the right fit for this team.
Montrezl Harrell – The NBA Sixth Man of the Year back in 2019-20 will likely opt out of his contract and his free agency during the summer. Averaging 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds on 61% shooting since the start of the 2018-19 season, will the Knicks be willing to pay him despite those issues on defense. He can be in the starting rotation and will be another scoring option. But will he be able to play defense that’s the concern.
John Collins – Now will he join a team who be dominated against. Collins is averaging 19.7 points and 9.3 rebounds. He can fit into the forward spot and be another scoring option. He’s likely looking at a rookie-level max contract. If the Hawks don’t decide to match, they’ll attempt to pull off a sign-and-trade in which the Knicks have some goods to pull off a deal.
Who will the Knicks need to re-sign in this off-season? The Knicks need to re-sign Derrick Rose this off-season and his experience play huge this season and help the Knicks win several games. He’s a guy who can help this young core and mainly the role players who step up this season.
Look for players not to return next season:
Elfrid Payton – Was in the starting line in the regular season and the start of the playoffs. However he saw limited action and lost his starting spot to Derrick Rose. He was on the bench and it looks like he will be in a different uniform next season.
Frank Ntilikina – It’s time for Frank to move on and just not been the answer during his tenure. His time has been reduced as well.
Kevin Knox – Another player who hasn’t got better and playing time has been reduce. Look for New York to trade him this off-season.
Mitchell Robinson is a Free Agent and the Knicks missed his presence. In his three seasons, has a history of injuries that have kept him out for a significant amount of time. Robinson has played over 70% of his games since his career started in 2018. Now they can re-sign him or move on from him. He has been a big help in the lineup.
It is great to see the Garden rocking again and the Knicks having a winning product. With Leon Rose and William Wesley in the front office have made the right decisions and will get a list of players who win in the longevity.
