Now that the dust has settled on the 2023-24 season for the New York Knicks, they will look toward the offseason after one of their best years in decades.
There were good vibes in the Garden all season round due to the Knicks' great success this past year, winning 50 games for the first time since 2012-13; all behind first-time All-Star Jalen Brunson and his Villanova teammates, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo.
Despite a heartbreaking collapse in seven games to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Knicks have all the reason to hold their heads high going into next season.
RELATED ARTICLE: Pacers Icon Reggie Miller Brutally Trolls Josh Hart, Knicks After Playoff Fail
Re-Signing OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein
The Knicks have a handful of players who are set to hit the open market this summer.
OG Anunoby will likely decline his player option, while Isaiah Hartenstein will enter as an unrestricted free agent.
The Knicks have improved immensely following the December trade that sent Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors to New York.
With OG in the lineup, the Knicks were 26-6; as one of the losses unfortunately came in a game-seven loss to the Pacers, whom Anunoby only played 5 minutes in.
Anunoby has a $19 million option, but if he opts out for a more significant payday in the 2024-25 season, the swingman could negotiate a four-year deal worth around $150 million.
Considering that he will turn 27 during the offseason, his play, and based on his injury history, the Knicks should at least consider doing what it takes to bring him back; as his impact on the floor both offensively and defensively was quite evident.
Isaiah Hartenstein came on for New York last season and became a fan favorite due to his hustle and grit, which won the faith of the Knicks.
Now, the starting center can look for a big payday from the Knicks.
Hartenstein was a player that head coach Tom Thibodeau relied on heavily, as he is an essential building block on the roster he has built.
Elsewhere on the roster, both Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle are eligible for exertions with the Knicks likely looking to lock up both players.
Randle has been a staple for the Knicks, becoming an All-Star throughout his time in NYC.
Brunson has only gotten better and proved his worth this year after carrying the team while Randle was out with injury.
Trade for Another Piece
(Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Knicks are knocking on the door of Eastern Conference contention, finishing the season as the second seed amongst clubs like the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.
Now, they are likely one piece away from cementing their championship run hopes.
They could swing for the fences and target a star like Donovan Mitchell or Devin Booker, potentially using Randle's contract as trade bait.
Or they could look to acquire Mikal Bridges, who plays for their cross-town rival Brooklyn Nets, completing their infinity gauntlet of Villanova alumni.
Get Healthy
In the end, the New York Knicks' health status is what killed a magical season for their fans.
Julius Randle was ruled out for most of the season due to a right shoulder injury, while he was in the midst of an All-NBA caliber season.
OG Anunoby missed several games throughout the regular season due to an elbow injury.
Bojan Bogdanovic missed the postseason due to a foot injury.
Furthermore, other role players like Mitchell Robinson were in and out of lineups due to injuries as well.
If the goal is to bring a championship to New York for the first time since 1972, then the Knicks have to get healthy and run it back.
READ MORE: Knicks' Jalen Brunson Suffers Devastating Injury in Game 7 Loss To Pacers
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
