When the lights were brightest, the New York Knicks simply ran out of steam — not because of star power, but support.
They had the top-tier talent in Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges. What they didn’t have was enough help.
Why the Knicks can justify running it back
Despite the playoff heartbreak, the Knicks built a legitimate championship-caliber roster that just came up short.
They ran into a mix of coaching missteps and a lack of reliable scoring off the bench when it mattered most.
Still, the core produced enough to warrant another run — especially with the right tweaks and a fresh voice leading them.
NBA: Playoffs-Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder
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One under-the-radar move that could add real value
That brings us to Luke Kennard — a veteran shooter who might be exactly what the Knicks’ bench has been missing.
Kennard isn’t flashy, but he brings one elite skill to the table: three-point shooting at a high volume and efficiency.
In 65 games this past season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Kennard shot 43.3% from deep on four attempts per night.
A proven shooter with playoff experience
Go back to 2023–24 and the numbers are even more impressive — 45% from downtown on 6.1 threes per game.
He also chipped in 11 points per contest in that stretch, operating as a reliable floor spacer and rhythm shooter.
At 6-foot-5 and 206 pounds, Kennard offers enough size to defend guards and provide a consistent scoring threat off screens.
How he fits into the Knicks’ second unit
New York had hoped Miles McBride would evolve into a two-way bench weapon with occasional scoring bursts this past season.
While McBride had his moments, an injury slowed him down and he struggled to leave a consistent playoff impact.
Kennard would offer a different flavor — a pure shooter who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to thrive.
With the Knicks’ core commanding defensive attention, Kennard could feast on clean looks from the perimeter nightly.
NBA: Memphis Grizzlies at Miami Heat
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The price point might be right
Kennard is coming off a $9.25 million deal, and the market likely won’t require a major overpay to secure his services.
If New York can land him at a similar price, it would be a smart value play for a team eyeing a title push.
Depth wins in the postseason, and finding an efficient scorer like Kennard could help avoid the offensive droughts that doomed them.
Adding him would be like plugging a leaky pipe — it won’t make headlines, but it could stop the ship from sinking.
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