2023-24 season: 50-32
Emphasis: The evolution of Jalen Brunson into a near-superstar and a legitimate top-tier playoff player, solidifying his status as the future of New York Knicks basketball.
How it ended
Painfully. Literally. The Knicks were as healthy as a dead person in the late stages of the season, having lost Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanović and Mitchell Robinson to injuries, while members of the remaining roster – Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby (returning for Game 7) ) ) – they were playing injured and playing heavy minutes.
Essentially, the Knicks came into the second half of the season with a real case for being the deepest team in the Eastern Conference, but ended up running out of steam, causing the playoffs to end, while also having to start backup point guard Miles McBride in a lot of games.
Needless to say, it’s impossible to point the finger too harshly at New York because its gas tank is empty. Instead, the main takeaway from this season is how close they are to becoming a major Eastern Conference power, pending the re-signing of Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Furthermore, in the absence of three starters, Tom Thibodeau’s remaining troops stepped up to the plate and, as a direct result, became better, more hardened NBA players.
McBride will enter next season viewed as one of the best backup point guards in the league. Hart will be seen as more than just a player, but a huge key to success with his versatility as a rebounder, playmaker and source of energy. Hartenstein is entering this summer likely now seen as worthy of starting full-time regardless of where he ends up.
All of this presents some challenges for the Knicks when it comes to keeping the team together long-term. However, given that New York has Brunson, Hart and McBride on extremely team-friendly contracts, a path to keeping most of this roster intact seems plausible.
Greater need in the off-season
Is the sorcerer a realistic question? Injury prevention strategy aside, the Knicks could find a new forward, as they have proven to function very well even in the playoffs without Randle, who has played outside the flow of the offense for years. If they can get out of his contract and replace him with someone who better fits the structure of this roster, that would be an attractive option.
Focus on the draft
Kansas veteran Kevin McCullar Jr. could bring some immediate scoring with the secondary unit, or the Knicks could take Carlton “Bub” Carrington, a rookie guard from Pittsburgh, in the first round. The second-round pick could be used more as a draft and stash pick, with 6-foot-2 guard Justin Edwards of Kentucky or 6-8 wing Melvin Ajinça of France being possibilities.
Draft picks: Nos. 24, 25 and 38
Salary cap analysis
The Knicks will be an overhyped team this summer, as Anunoby’s cap hit will undoubtedly keep them above that line. The 3&D striker is also expected to receive a salary that will make him the highest-paid player on the team.
Assuming Anunoby is well taken care of, Hartenstein is next man up. The Knicks only have early bird rights to him and therefore will be limited in what they can offer. That said, Hartenstein’s open market value may not deviate too much from any offer from the Knicks, so he could return. It’s a big summer for the Knicks, and they will need to be thorough if they want much of the roster to return.
Top free agents
OG Anunoby (UFA – assuming he declines the player option)
Isaiah Hartenstein (UFA)
Alec Burks (UFA)
Precious Achiuwa (RFA)
Goal for next season
Stay healthy and go further in the playoffs. This team is built to compete now and could open up a nice five-year window if they can keep the right players. The holding of finals in the near future cannot be ruled out.
What can move the fantasy needle
Talk about defying expectations. The Knicks have shown marked improvement, fueled by the meteoric rise of Brunson and the elevated play of Donte DiVincenzo and Hart. DiVincenzo and Hart made the most of their surge over the next few minutes, becoming invaluable assets for fantasy managers. Injuries and a midseason trade opened up those minutes, but the chemistry was clear between the trio of former Villanova Wildcats.
Thibodeau’s coaching spirit of running tight rotations with heavy minutes for the starting unit tends to bode well for fantasy purposes — until players get hurt. As a result, McBride and Achiuwa had their moments, and the Knicks’ underrated depth carried them and fantasy managers by several points. Hartenstein was another gem, becoming one of the best waivers of the year after Robinson suffered an ankle injury in December. Hartenstein ended the year ranked 75th in the leagues, and the Knicks should try to bring him back.
The Knicks now face a crucial decision regarding Randle. Having risen to second place in the Eastern Conference and coming within one game of reaching the conference finals without him, the team’s success raised some questions. The possibility of moving Randle is on the table. If Randle remains a Knick, he should still be drafted in the fifth or sixth round.
Additionally, Anunoby’s likely decision to opt out of his $19 million player option adds to the intrigue of the upcoming offseason. Change is undoubtedly on the horizon, but the Knicks find themselves in the most promising position they’ve been in as a franchise in two decades.
