After a very successful season which saw the New York Knicks win 50 games in the regular season, and get within one game of the Eastern Conference Finals, a productive offseason awaits. New York is equipped with a surplus of first-round picks, and has one of the more favorable financial situations in the NBA, setting them up for another successful offseason.
NBA Insider believes the Knicks will be aggressive in pursuit of the next available star
Earlier this week, NBA Insider Shams Charania shared how he expects New York to tackle their offseason:
“They’re going to continue to be aggressive,” said Charania on Monday’s edition of Fanduel TV’s Run It Back. “They’re looking for that next player if he is available, whenever that’s going to be.”
Re-signing OG Anunoby at the top of NY’s offseason priorities
According to Charania, one of the Knicks’ top priorities this offseason will be re-signing OG Anunoby if he declines his player option and hits the open market. Charania notes the hefty amount of assets that New York gave up to acquire Anunoby as the main motivator behind bringing back the two-way wing. Both F RJ Barrett and G Immanuel Quickley were sent to Toronto in the blockbuster trade.
Julius Randle’s contract situation could set the tone for the rest of the offseason
Charania specifically mentioned the situation regarding F Julius Randle, who missed the final three months of the regular season, and the entire postseason due to a shoulder injury. Randle is eligible to sign a four-year/$181 million extension this offseason, and Charania believes that how the Knicks handle that transaction will determine their next step.
“Julius Randle, he’s got a player option in 2025, teams are monitoring this situation for sure,” said Charania. “How[the Knicks] handle that extension situation, if that is a conversation, what transpires, I think that will be interesting.”
The Knicks will have a lot of decisions to make this offseason after their best season in over two decades. They will certainly be in the market for whichever disgruntled star becomes available next, the only uncertainty is just how aggressive will they be in their pursuit.
The Knicks were a very good team last season, one that could’ve made a run for the NBA Finals if health permitted, perhaps they won’t want to mess with the foundation built this year, or perhaps they go star hunting. Nonetheless, the Knicks can’t really go wrong with whichever direction they choose to tackle this offseason.