RealGM

The New York Knicks are considered unlikely to make a head coaching change this offseason and appear to be prioritizing ways they can improve their roster. Tom Thibodeau continues to enjoy the support of Jalen Brunson and the front office following their appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks could use the transaction cycle to improve their depth, but ESPN's Shams Charania suggests they could also pursue a "landmark" player. While Charania didn't specify any players, the Knicks have previously been tied to both Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

"I'm told the Knicks have internal meetings this week to evaluate everything from the roster, different changes they could make around everything, but especially the roster," said Charania on Sports Center on Monday. "If the last year and a half is any indication, Knicks president Leon Rose has gone out and gotten OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns.

"I expect him to be just as aggressive this offseason. Whether it's a landmark player that you could bring in there or definitely depth on that bench. Tom Thibodeau called it a very important offseason coming up, and this is a team that has won 50-plus games in consecutive seasons for the first time since the early nineties. Four of his five seasons as head coach, they've made it to the playoffs, so it's been a successful run. Jalen Brunson [is] fully supportive. That front office is fully supportive of Tom Thibodeau as well. But I do expect them to be very active and aggressive on the roster."

The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000 and were two wins away from the Finals as they lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. The Knicks believe they can sustain championship contention longer than their rivals because Brunson's discounted 2024 extension provides financial flexibility while other teams face costly second apron restrictions.

Via RealGM Staff Report

Not sure who they think they're getting.

They spent all their assets on Mikal.

the_process wrote:Not sure who they think they're getting.

They spent all their assets on Mikal.

KAT for KD... make it so!

Pickled Prunes wrote:

the_process wrote:Not sure who they think they're getting.

They spent all their assets on Mikal.

KAT for KD... make it so!

The Suns most certainly do not have enough draft capital to throw in to entice the Knicks to give up 29 year old Towns in exchange for 37 year old Durant.

How much more help do they need? Lets not pretend the east will be a powerhouse in the upcoming season with Boston and Milwaukee out for the season.

They're probably going to try and trade OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to land Durant or just swing big to bring in Giannis

the_process wrote:Not sure who they think they're getting.

They spent all their assets on Mikal.

They don't have draft capital, outside of some 2nd rounders, though the 2026 first rounder becomes tradable at some point. The Stepien rule no longer applies with the current pick, just future picks. But they have salaries they can move.

McBride, Bridges . . . KAT, perhaps, if you really dislike his defense that much, even Mitch, though Mitch stepped up in the playoffs and I think Thibs likes him. Josh Hart began showing signs of age this year.

But how much the Knicks can improve their roster trading rotation players remains to be seen. I don't think they want KD. Too hold, but Giannis would be a get, if they can do it. I'm not sure they can salary wise. Mostly I think articles like this are click-bait. Leon is a wheeler and dealer, but I have no idea what he's going to do this off-season.

One positive, is the Knicks seemed to have a pretty good draft last year. Dadiet (youngest player drafted last year), McCuller (missed a lot of last year coming back from an injury), Kolek and Huk all looked like they have potential. NY needs depth. I don't know if those 4 players will be part of that next year, but they could be.

Swauny Jones wrote:They're probably going to try and trade OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to land Durant or just swing big to bring in Giannis

That would be insanely stupid.

This team has a good base, I feel like they just need that 1 player (like a 6th man of the year type) to come off the bench and give us that much needed bench scoring that has eluded us all year. I don't think they should make any major changes to the lineup unless they move Mitch + KAT for a 2 way player instead of 2 1 way players. I think KAT is way more likely to be in a trade than OG.

Roy T wrote:How much more help do they need? Lets not pretend the east will be a powerhouse in the upcoming season with Boston and Milwaukee out for the season.

you still have CLE, IND, DET, ORL, and the possibility of PHI regaining their footing. The Knicks need to get better

Roy T wrote:How much more help do they need? Lets not pretend the east will be a powerhouse in the upcoming season with Boston and Milwaukee out for the season.

Boston will still be good without Tatum and I see no reason for the Cavs not to be in a similar spot. I think the Knicks just need some bench help, to be honest.

no way Tom gets fired. that would be so stupid. would make no sense at all

Well, it's the Knicks, so they fired him.

beefman wrote:no way Tom gets fired. that would be so stupid. would make no sense at all

Cyclonus12 wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

the_process wrote:Not sure who they think they're getting.

They spent all their assets on Mikal.

KAT for KD... make it so!

The Suns most certainly do not have enough draft capital to throw in to entice the Knicks to give up 29 year old Towns in exchange for 37 year old Durant.

How many picks is KAT worth? I'd say 3-4 on that contract.
How many picks is KD worth? I'd say 2-3 with his age/injury history and long-term uncertainty.

I'll allow that you take the high side on KAT and the low side on KD. 4-2=2. PHX has two tradeable 1sts. But I could see that going the other way and being an even swap. NYK knows that Brunson isn't going to pass the ball to KAT (or anyone else on the NYK) when it matters. If you think he will pass it to KD (and he better) than it's worth the swap. I don't think Brunson can be the best player on a contender.

Cyclonus12 wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

the_process wrote:Not sure who they think they're getting.

They spent all their assets on Mikal.

KAT for KD... make it so!

The Suns most certainly do not have enough draft capital to throw in to entice the Knicks to give up 29 year old Towns in exchange for 37 year old Durant.

Yes, because age is the be-all end-all.

So much for key support! They dont need a landmark player. They need Hart off the bench and a PF that can spot up shoot and provide some rim protection alongside Towns.

DoctorDunc wrote:So much for key support! They dont need a landmark player. They need Hart off the bench and a PF that can spot up shoot and provide some rim protection alongside Towns.

Hart's first 61 games this year he had an effective FG% of 59.9%. His last 16, 49.7% and he seemed afraid to shoot at times. I don't know how much of that was small sample size or maybe wearing down over the long season, but he seemed great for the first 4 months of the year, then he lost something.

I don't know what the Knicks need. A new coach and a better defensive plan. A longer rotation. Another 3 pt shooter, but they're close. They have a lot of weapons. If McCullar turns into the player I think he might be, he maybe helps us against a team like the Pacers, but we only saw a few minutes of him this year. Kolek looks fun, but he's weak on defense which is one of the Knicks problems. . . . It's going to be an interesting off-season.

So...they have insider knowledge. I'm surprised he didn't use the "according to inside sources".

Mr. Charania, I have questions about that that key support you were talking.