While the regular season is still a few months away, most of this offseason’s transactions appear to be complete.
O Knicks was an extremely active participant.
Coming off a season in which they made a shocking mid-season trade and suffered a Game 7 second-round loss, New York now has high championship aspirations.
What went right, what went wrong, and how can we fairly assess what we know about this pivotal Knicks offseason so far?
The good
Trading for Mikal Bridges was undoubtedly the most surprising move of Leon Rosaleague term and offseason. New York emptied the draft pile it had accumulated for years in anticipation of a star trade for a zero-time All-Star who is a star.
A lackluster year leading a hapless Brooklyn team has dampened some of Bridges’ enthusiasm, but every other point on his resume gives New York fans reason to celebrate.
Bridges was months away from being Team USA’s leading contributor at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, a season he averaged 26.1 points on 50.3 percent shooting from two and 37.6 percent from two. three in 27 games, two for making an all-defensive second team and finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
He always plays, is among the best in one of the most valued archetypes in the game and will only add culture and suitability to the squad. Those who still question why the Knicks had to give up so much for a sought-after talent playing for a rival they hadn’t dealt with in half a century are missing the bigger picture.
They waited for years for a star to leave, losing DonovanMitchell, but had one last chance at Bridges before the new CBA restrictions affected teams. They were able to acquire him while keeping the rest of their core and still keeping some draft equity, setting themselves up to really compete in 2024-25 and beyond.
Helping to ensure you were subscribing again OG Anunoby, the 3-eD star wing they traded for last December. He received competitive offers across the league, but chose to remain in New York long-term.
While the Knicks have maintained their strong revenue, they have also replenished their depth and resources through the draft. Going in with three picks, New York left draft night with two additional future second-round picks and four intriguing prospects.
The Knicks have crafted a package full of potential Pacome Dadieta candidate for the first day rotation in Tyler Kolekthis draft Josh Hart composition in Kevin McCullar Jr. and center Ariel Hukporti. This front office can show they can find big sleepers in the draft and will look to continue that trend with this latest class.
Despite this being an “all-in” offseason for the Knicks, they still managed to maintain some decent flexibility heading into a more binding trade market. They are still well below the second apron to add to this roster when needed, have a plethora of draft picks remaining, and boast a number of valuable, easily movable contracts.
The evil
Losing Isaiah Hartenstein It was nothing short of a punch in the gut.
He anchored the defense and, in many ways, the offense throughout last season, earning an annual payday of nearly $30 million that the Knicks couldn’t come close to matching due to cap rules.
Hartenstein is a big hole to fill, and it’s clear the Knicks haven’t decided how they’re going to do it. Mitchell Robinson is fully deserving and fits the bill when it comes to the starting center position, but his primary backup would currently be Jericho Simswho is followed by debutant Hukporti.
The Knicks could be sniffing out trades before deciding to re-sign Precious Achiuwa and go from there, but as of now, this big man rotation isn’t going to fix it.
That said, losing Hartenstein wasn’t the front office’s fault.
After trying to land the vagabond Hartenstein with a team-friendly two-year contract, he impressed with a solid season off the bench, and then took off after Robinson’s injury this year. The Knicks never had a chance to extend his contract, couldn’t trade him during the season, and couldn’t offer him anywhere near the amount he received.
This likely applies to the other downside of the offseason: Bridges’ trade price. It is, in a vacuum, an extra payment.
Consider either context and the trade becomes a clear win for the Knicks (not at the Nets’ expense), but they will feel its impact for years. They wouldn’t be able to sink until 2030 and won’t have any future unprotected first-round picks to trade for a few seasons.
All of these picks were a price the Knicks would likely have to pay if they wanted to secure Bridges or any star this summer. But they also represent full conviction in this assembled list. It will win or it will have to be reshaped or rebuilt in a hostile environment to do so.
Those who don’t believe Jalen Brunsonstardom, Julio RandleThe postseason potential, the NovaKnicks and the power of friendship, or the team’s ability to stay healthy will not be satisfied this offseason. And if they’re right, the Knicks will have to change direction with less flexibility than ever before, so fans better get used to this team.
The grade: B+
This summer was the culmination of years of mismanagement and one team’s difficult but successful effort to reverse it. Any casual observer can drill down on the details, the path to get here and the end result, but the Knicks are operating more competently than at any point this millennium — and this offseason has been no different.
In a league that has seen a new champion in seven consecutive seasons, it is foolish to try to disregard a specific rebuilding or team-building plan. The Knicks went 14-2 in January, were a win short of the conference finals and just upgraded their roster without affecting their chemistry.
They are real.
The price to get here was high, but the Knicks showed they were willing to pay it, as any contender will have to at some point. The consequences if they are wrong should not be anyone’s concern at this point, and history shows that smart teams can escape any all-in move.
The Knicks are back.
