The New York Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years this season. Despite that, there is a feeling that changes need to be made in some capacity to get them to the next level of being a championship contender.
Knicks need some changes this summer
New York had a shopping spree last summer by re-signing OG Anunoby, extending Jalen Brunson (on a team-friendly discount), and trading for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. While they took a step forward this year as a result of those moves, the team still felt incomplete.
Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and forward OG Anunoby (8) react after a three point basket by center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) to clinch a win over the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
For starters, chemistry was not at a premium, which was to be expected given the complete overhaul of the roster. At times, they looked to have great synergy on both ends, but other times, they seemed lost, especially on defense.
Furthermore, they lacked true depth in the second unit. The majority of their bench consisted of guards who weren’t high-level scorers, and as a result, they were the lowest bench scoring team in the NBA this season.
Knicks expected to remain aggressive in the markets this offseason
ESPN’s Shams Charania thinks that, as a result of the flaws on this current roster, the Knicks will be aggressive when it comes to making changes.
Nov 20, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“I expect [Knicks President Leon Rose] to be just as aggressive this offseason [compared to last year],” Charania said. “Whether that’s a landmark player that you can bring in there, or definitely depth on that bench. This is a team that has won 50-plus games in consecutive seasons for the first time since the early 90s. I do expect them to be very active and aggressive on the roster.”
The Knicks will have some tough decisions to make this summer. If they want to pursue a superstar piece, it would likely come at the cost of a key rotation piece, so they would need to seriously consider if parting ways with them is worth it.
Should the Knicks pursue depth or a superstar?
Oct 28, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant could both become available on the open market this summer. New York should take full advantage and gauge a price for them, though they need to consider the long-term effects of what would be a league-altering move.
They can also prioritize depth by making smaller trades without sacrificing core members of their roster. One way or another, changes are likely forthcoming for this team, and it’ll only be a matter of time before the market starts booming.