Everyone under the sun seems to think that the Knicks will offload their draft capital this offseason to acquire a superstar in hopes of reinforcing Jalen Brunson. Of course, that would likely mean offloading Julius Randle and his contract just to fit another player on the team. Still, the front office could go in a totally different direction, keeping draft assets and reinforcing their depth.
Knicks’ Offseason Strategy: Balancing Superstars with Depth
According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Knicks aren’t entirely convinced they need to trade picks and add another contract, instead bolstering the players they already have. Apparently, their series against the Indiana Pacers opened a few eyes to their lack of true depth.
Draft Prospects and Player Development
“I don’t get the sense that they are fully committed to moving their 2024 picks.”
The Knicks could pair some of their selections together to move up and gain another high-profile prospect. One option could be Weber State small forward Dillon Jones or even Zach Edey in the first round. Jones is an intriguing prospect who averaged only four points per season before last year when he produced 20.8 points, shooting 48.9% from the field.
His scoring production wasn’t the only thing that took a massive step forward; he also produced 9.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, showcasing ridiculous play-making quality. If the Knicks fail to extend Isaiah Hartenstein, Jones could be a perfect alternative on a cheap rookie contract. Even if they keep the veteran big man, they could try to offload Mitchell Robinson and his remaining contract, landing Jones, who would be a perfect backup to Hartenstein, developing behind him and learning how to transition his collegiate talents to the NBA level.
Of course, the Knicks have plenty of other needs to address, including more depth at guard, since Alec Burks will likely be parting ways and injury probability reared its head this past postseason.
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Ultimately, suppose the Knicks feel they can win a championship with Brunson, Randle, and OG Anunoby. In that case, they shouldn’t have to mess too much with the equation but rather maintain their health and reduce minutes for some of their key players to guarantee they’re ready to go when the playoffs roll around next season.