This year’s free agency has been the most electric in the history of the NBA. Unfortunately, the New York Knicks missed out on some of that electricity.
Trades reshaping the league
There were many fascinating trades such as the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans, the Los Angeles Clippers trading for Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the latest one being the Houston Rockets trading for Russell Westbrook from the Thunder.
Player movement shifting power
In addition to those power shifting trades, there was also major movement in the free agent market. Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors to join his buddy Kyrie Irving, who left the Boston Celtics, in Brooklyn. Kemba Walker finally left basketball purgatory in Charlotte to sign with the Celtics, and Kawhi Leonard shifted the power in the NBA (once again) by leaving the NBA Champion Toronto Raptors to sign with the Clippers to team up with George. These are a few of the moves that shook the NBA landscape.
For the most part, all teams that had a max slot available signed an All-Star or superstar that garnered “oohs” and “aahs” from NBA fans and journalists alike.
Well, all teams except for the Knicks.
Did the Knicks really “strike out?”
Once again, the media laughed at the Knicks because, with $70-plus million in cap space, the front office couldn’t lure one big name free agent. Therefore, in the media’s eyes, the Knicks failed and struck out as usual. Outside of the media’s need to create a false narrative and use the Knicks “misery” as clickbait to help boost their views, the Knicks didn’t “strike out” per se.
Realistically speaking, the Knicks were coming off a 17-win season. No big name free agent in their right mind is going to sign with the team that had the worst record in the NBA. Also, whatever chances the Knicks had at snagging Durant went down the drain once he tore his Achilles in the NBA Finals. At that point, all bets were off.
Solid signings defines the Knicks offseason
Despite not signing a star in free agency, Scott Perry and Steve Mills made some solid signings that show they aren’t going to make the same mistakes as past regimes. One of those mistakes Perry and Mills avoided was signing a mediocre player to a max contract. All Knicks fans better kneel and thank the basketball gods for granting them this generous favor.
Besides not tying any mediocre players to huge contracts, Perry and Mills spent their money wisely by signing veterans to a one-year or two-year deal with a team option attached after the first year. By doing this, the Knicks maintain flexibility in their cap space, which allows them to pursue big-name free agents in the future.
More specifically, the future in 2021 when big names like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be available, to name a few.
The one player who the Knicks gave a three-year deal to, Julius Randle, was a smart move based on Randle’s age and production. Randle is 25 years old, which means he’s soon entering his prime, and every year, he has shown improvement in his game. In his four seasons in the NBA, his points production jumped from 11.2 points per game in the 2015-16 season to 21.4 points per game last season. Also, he shot 52% from the field and over 30% for the first time in his career from three-point range. If a team is going to invest in a young player, Randle fits that bill perfectly.
Youth combined with veteran leadership will improve the Knicks
Overall, what more can anyone ask for from a 17-win team last season? The Knicks got two solid draft picks in RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikis. In the summer league, Barrett proved why he was the #3 pick by producing three double-doubles and a near triple-double. Brazdeikis was a solid performer, and he had a 30-point explosion versus the Phoenix Suns. Both players will prove vital to the Knicks success this upcoming season.
Also, the Knicks have solid second and third year players that should make an impact. Kevin Knox has shown improvement, especially in his decision-making process in the summer league, and Mitchell Robinson will continue to do what he does, which is play defense, block shots, and be a lob threat off the pick-and-roll. Allonzo Trier is already a solid rotation piece that will provide scoring off the bench, and Dennis Smith Jr. has been working out with Chris Paul this summer. Hopefully, a bit of Paul’s point-god game will shine in Smith when the new season kicks off.
Quite possibly, Damyean Dotson will also be on the team to continue his rise, but the Knicks have yet to pick up his option.
Last but not least, don’t forget the veterans the Knicks have brought in to challenge their young core. Marcus Morris was a key piece on the Celtics for the past two seasons. He’s not coming to New York to sit on the bench, and it’s not farfetched to think Taj Gibson, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington, Bobby Portis, Julius Randle, and possibly Reggie Bullock feels the same.
New York will be alright
Altogether, the Knicks have solid players who should push each other to get better. On paper, the Knicks look like a team that could sneak into the playoffs depending on the improvement of the young core. Therefore, is this offseason truthfully a failure for the Knicks?
Probably not, but the production on the court will tell the full story.
