Who Could Be Wearing a Knicks Jersey Come Next Year?

Dec 14, 2018; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) pushes the ball up the court during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
While July is a long time away from where we are, many fans like to dream. The New York Knicks should have cap space, and many fans are dreaming about Kyrie Irving, Kawahi Leonard, and Kevin Durant. The Knicks should have room for about one max contract, or they could sign a few mid-level contracts. Currently, the Knicks will have about 40 million dollars in cap space this coming offseason. Here’s six different people who could be playing for the Knicks come next season.

Kevin Durant:

We will start with the big fish. Yes, there are rumors if the Warriors win the title again this season, Durant may a new challenge. There are also rumors that he loves New York, and the Garden. The Knicks should have enough cap space to sign Kevin Durant, but they wouldn’t have much room to sign anyone else to improve the team. The question for the Knicks is if they want one big fish, or to fill multiple holes, and not shoot for the stars.

Kemba Walker:

Kemba Walker is similar to Kevin Durant, do you want one bigger name or multiple quality players. Walker is from New York City, and coming to the Knicks would be a homecoming for Walker. Walker is going to command a contract close to a max contract, but would he take a hometown discount?

Khris Middleton:

Khris Middleton is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Middleton has a player option for next season, where he is scheduled to make 13 million. If Middleton was to opt out of his contract I would expect him to make about 15-17 million a year for four years. If the Knicks are players for Khris Middleton they could then go out and sign another player, and get at least two quality players into their rotation.

Klay Thompson:

Klay Thompson will more than likely command a close to max contract due to his outstanding shooting abilities. The problem for the Warriors, is that they are going to be paying lots of money for their core, and might have to get creative to keep their core four. If they have to let one go it would likely be either Klay Thompson or Kevin’s Durant. If I was the Warriors, I’d let Klay Thompson walk, who would be a prefect player for the Knicks. The Knicks need a veteran who can shoot threes, and Thompson fits the bill. It remains to be seen if the second half of the splash brothers would have interest in joining the Knicks.

Noah Vonleh/Emmanuel Mudiay:

Both are currently on the Knicks right now, and both are playing extremely well right now. Neither are going to get max contracts, but is both continue playing how they are, they will each get paid. If the Knicks wants to keep them and be the ones to pay them, and keep them with their young core, then they might only keep one out of two them. Out of the two Mudiay will be a restricted free agent.
We all know the Knicks aren’t going to sign all six players on this list, signing two or three of them isn’t even very likely. What I think will happen is that throughout the season the Knicks will trade both Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr., to free up cap space. While I think it is possible the Knicks are contenders for Durant, I think the Knicks are going to end up with Walker, Middleton, one of Mudiay or Vonleh, along with their lottery pick in the 2019 draft.
Who do you think the Knicks will pick up in the offseason, let us know in the comments.