Clyde Frazier's Grade:
Offseason Thoughts
Draft
Going into the draft, the Knicks were expected to package picks 19 & 21 to move up. They were mainly tied to Chris Duarte, the 24 year old SG out of Oregon. Given his age he was mocked in the late teens/early 20s, but quickly shot up draft boards in the final days and was selected 13th by the Pacers. With a glut of similar prospects in the 20-30 range, the Knicks opted to trade back in the draft for future assets, still making 4 picks on draft night. This shrewd use of assets can be attributed to Leon Rose hire Brock Aller, who negotiated similar moves in the 2020 draft.
Overall I was happy with the Knicks’ draft. My main gripe was the protection on the first rounder they got back from Charlotte for 19. It should eventually convey as a 1st, but I thought they could’ve done better there. I also have a gut feeling Jalen Johnson is gonna hit, and he was still on the board. All that said, Grimes, McBride and Sims all showed out in summer league. Grimes projects to fill a similar 3&D role to Duarte, McBride looks like he could be a steal and Sims should spend the year in the G League. Jokubaitis is a draft and stash who will need some time if he does eventually come over.
Free Agency
The Knicks’ offseason is a lesson in waiting until contract details come out for all signings. When the deals for Rose, Noel and Burks were first announced, it looked like NY was just running it back and made sure of it with substantial 3 year deals. They were all solid contributors last year, so I was ok with having them back. The contracts became more palatable, though when we learned each contract had a team option in year 3. These are now deals with added flexibility that can be used to match salary in a future trade for a disgruntled star. Gibson can still contribute and is the ultimate locker room guy. Happy to have him back.
The Fournier deal (4 years $73 mil with 4th year TO) is right at market value for a great shooter who can create a little bit for himself and others. Bogdan Bogdanovic is the same age and on a similar 4 year deal with a PO in year 4. Some people are critical of Fournier’s playoff resume, but he wasn’t on great teams. Bogdan didn’t have a world beater playoff performance this year and I imagine the Hawks are still satisfied with what he gave them. Fournier is a clear upgrade over Bullock for NY as they desperately needed more shot creation in the playoffs. The Knicks also snagged two future 2nd round picks in the deal for cash which was a nice added bonus.
The last addition was the Kemba buyout which totally came out of left field. It took the “well this is fine” offseason to “ok now this is interesting!” Even though he only managed to appear in 43 games last season, his numbers were better than I expected: 19.3 PPG, 4 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.1 SPG on 55.9% TS, +2.5 Net Rtg. He also hoisted up 8.2 3s per game at a 36% clip, which percentage wise was down from 19-20, but still encouraging to spread the floor. With Kemba being a NYer and his history of theatrics at The Garden in his UCONN days, it’s going to be fun just to see him don a Knick uni.
I’m hoping Kemba can transition into a lesser role alongside Randle and RJ, at least somewhat increasing the chances of him staying healthy. He’s a monumental upgrade over Payton and again brings extra playmaking sorely needed. Kemba’s arrival also ensures Rose continues to come off the bench where he thrived last season. While Kemba and Rose are sure to miss games, this is where I see McBride having an opportunity to carve out a role. He’s a dynamic guard on both ends of the floor who looks ready to contribute.
And last but certainly not least, Randle agreeing to the somewhat surprising extension was huge. If he waited a year and bet on himself, he could have secured a $200 mil contract. Can you attribute some of that to him hedging after a poor playoff debut? Possibly, but it became clear this season Randle loves playing here and wants to be part of the team’s progression. The discount he took really opens things up for their ability to bring in other players down the line.
Critics point to expected shooting regression from Randle next year, but even if he does, A) don’t expect it to be drastic and B) that still ignores the other improvements he made to his game. His excellent decision making and mentality were a sharp contrast to his first season in NY, and there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll welcome the help the new additions will provide. Securing Randle with this extension made the offseason a true success.
Grade
A-
Prediction
46-36. I’m more confident in record than seeding as the East clearly got better, but I’ll go cautiously optimistic with 5.
Offseason in GIF form
K_Chile22's Grade:
New York Knicks transactions
Front office
Extended GM Scott Perry for 2 years.
Draft
Drafted Quentin Grimes at pick #25 (acquired from LAC).
Drafted Rokas Jokubaitis at pick #34 (acquired from OKC).
Drafted Miles McBride at pick #36 (acquired from OKC).
Drafted Jericho Sims at pick #58.
Trades
Traded pick #19 for lotto-protected future 1st rounder from CHA.
Traded pick #21 for pick #25 and future 2nd rounder.
Traded pick #32 for picks #34 and #36.
Traded cash for Evan Fournier S&T, 4/$73M and two future 2nds.
Free agency
Waived Norvel Pelle.
Picked up team option on Mitch Robinson, 1/$1.8M.
Extended Julius Randle, 4/$117M, last year PO.
Re-signed Derrick Rose, 3/$44M, last year TO.
Re-signed Nerlens Noel, 3/$28M, last year TO.
Re-signed Alec Burks, 3/$30M, last year TO.
Re-signed Taj Gibson, 2/$10M.
Signed Kemba Walker, 2/$18M.
Acquired Evan Fournier in an S&T, as above.
Signed Dwayne Bacon, 1/min.
Offseason Thoughts:
Huh. I'll start with the draft. I don't hate Grimes at 25, gut think it was a tiny bit high. Not too familiar with Rokas and like Miles. Think they did ok. The draft day trades are a bit more complicated. Not crazy about the #19 trade, but it could very well work out for them, so not knocking them much for that one, #21 trade I don't like but not a big deal. #32 for #34 and #36 was excellent.
Free agency for them was weird. I guess the plan is to give up on cap space and hope to trade for a star? I guess it's not a terrible idea since stars are extending left and right and not hitting free agency, but still, not a ton of fluidity here. Kinda just locked into this group for a couple years, which can bite them if they don't overperform expectations again.
My biggest gripe is this: If your plan is to use up all your capspace for next season now.... Why pickup Robinson's option instead of making him an RFA and locking him up?? That made little sense to me unless they just are fine with him walking away and do not want to pay him. Pretty much all the contracts in a vacuum are fine, except probably the Fournier one, but the direction here is just.. really hard to be positive about. Maybe the knicks look great next year and stars want to go there and I have Crow to eat, but I'm not sure they'll be significantly better than they were last year, while the east got quite a bit better around them.
Grade:
C. Not to be taken negatively, this is just a giant 'meh'.
2022 Prediction:
Bottom of the east playoff picture, probably in the play-in
Offseason in gif form
Mamba4Goat's Grade:
New York Knicks transactions
Front office
Extended GM Scott Perry for 2 years.
Draft
Drafted Quentin Grimes at pick #25 (acquired from LAC).
Drafted Rokas Jokubaitis at pick #34 (acquired from OKC).
Drafted Miles McBride at pick #36 (acquired from OKC).
Drafted Jericho Sims at pick #58.
Trades
Traded pick #19 for lotto-protected future 1st rounder from CHA.
Traded pick #21 for pick #25 and future 2nd rounder.
Traded pick #32 for picks #34 and #36.
Traded cash for Evan Fournier S&T, 4/$73M and two future 2nds.
Free agency
Waived Norvel Pelle.
Picked up team option on Mitch Robinson, 1/$1.8M.
Extended Julius Randle, 4/$117M, last year PO.
Re-signed Derrick Rose, 3/$44M, last year TO.
Re-signed Nerlens Noel, 3/$28M, last year TO.
Re-signed Alec Burks, 3/$30M, last year TO.
Re-signed Taj Gibson, 2/$10M.
Signed Kemba Walker, 2/$18M.
Acquired Evan Fournier in an S&T, as above.
Signed Dwayne Bacon, 1/min.
Offseason Thoughts
The Thibs era Knicks apparently like to get positional players in bulk. Year 1 they cornered the PF market and this year they drafted 3 guards, signed Rose, Burks, Kemba, and Fournier (he's more of a wing though), and still have Quickley, The rookies likely won't see a ton of year 1 playing time and the odds of Kemba and Rose being healthy at the same time is unfortunately rather small at this point in their careers so the depth makes sense but it's still a funny observation.
They had a pretty good offseason though. Acquiring/keeping a few of the mid-tier FA's in Fournier, Noel, and Rose is pretty significant and landing the best buyout player in Kemba (who can be a big x-factor to their season if he can be healthy and get to ~90% of who he used to be). Overall I have it as one of their better ones in recent history.
Grade
B+
As I said, this is one of the better offseasons they've had in recent memory. The only thing I would've changed is trying to sell high on Obi Toppin and probably not bringing back Rose but, you know, Thibs.
2022 Prediction
Lower end playoff team (5-8 seed)
A lot of their success depends on how they utilize all of their new guards, what that changes for Randle, Barrett, and the guards themselves, and how much those changes hurt/improve each player. IQ deserves minutes too.
Offseason in gif form
Bondom34's Grade:
New York Knicks transactions
Front office
Extended GM Scott Perry for 2 years.
Draft
Drafted Quentin Grimes at pick #25 (acquired from LAC).
Drafted Rokas Jokubaitis at pick #34 (acquired from OKC).
Drafted Miles McBride at pick #36 (acquired from OKC).
Drafted Jericho Sims at pick #58.
Trades
Traded pick #19 for lotto-protected future 1st rounder from CHA.
Traded pick #21 for pick #25 and future 2nd rounder.
Traded pick #32 for picks #34 and #36.
Traded cash for Evan Fournier S&T, 4/$73M and two future 2nds.
Free agency
Waived Norvel Pelle.
Picked up team option on Mitch Robinson, 1/$1.8M.
Extended Julius Randle, 4/$117M, last year PO.
Re-signed Derrick Rose, 3/$44M, last year TO.
Re-signed Nerlens Noel, 3/$28M, last year TO.
Re-signed Alec Burks, 3/$30M, last year TO.
Re-signed Taj Gibson, 2/$10M.
Signed Kemba Walker, 2/$18M.
Acquired Evan Fournier in an S&T, as above.
Signed Dwayne Bacon, 1/min.
Offseason Thoughts
I've heard it said a few times that this was a team who's offseason seemed to not make a ton of sense at first but that when we saw how it came together after the first day it was a lot better looking and I tend to agree. Overall I ended this time pretty impressed with what the Knicks did.
Starting at the draft they had some really nice asset plays in both trading 19 for a future pick, trading back a few spots and grabbing a 2nd and (the best value wise) 32 for 34/36. Ended up with a few solid point guard prospects to add to their group, but overall just smart value plays. Nothing mind blowing but just overall some smart moving around the board and picking up minor assets to work with. Oh and I also need to mention its another minor thing but I like Jericho Sims and think that was a good get at 58.
On to free agency it seems a prime example of waiting until all the reports come out to judge a team. Fournier I suppose I'm a little higher on than some, it's fine value for a decent starter and getting team options on all these contracts makes them fine as either bringing back the guys from a successful season or having short term contracts that are movable via trade. I have no idea if Randle keeps up the same production but after the season he had extending him under the max feels like it was a bit of a meeting in the middle for both sides that I can't complain about either. And finally getting Walker for what can only be called under market value seems a great move.
The only quibble I may have is declining the option on Robinson though recent reports seem to indicate they're willing to still extend him. I do think I'd prefer to have him as a RFA next season though overall running last year's team back with an upgrade at point guard and an extra shooter seems like it mostly just works to build up the Knicks toward a better reputation and its an offseason I'll say I was overall a fan of. I don't think they're a contender but I do think they have a shot to be a playoff team again and they did it without either moving significant assets or significantly overpaying anyone, and while keeping their younger core intact.
Grade
B+
2022 Prediction
7th or 8th in the East
Offseason in gif form
