The New York Knicks could be major players this summer, with robust lottery odds and the chance to lure major free agents. What should their priorities be?
If things break right, the Knicks could add two marquee free agents and the best player in the 2019 NBA Draft class this summer. There’s also an obvious scenario where none of those things happen and they’re back to trying to stay patient with a more uncertain and longer-term rebuild.
As the Knicks prepare for this pivotal summer, where should their priorities be?
5. Land the stars
The free agent decisions of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be the primary factors that shape the Knicks’ offseason. If those two stars decide to team up in New York, as rumors have been implying they will, then the timeline shrinks. Some of the Knicks future assets get liquidated for win-now value and one of the league’s worst teams pivots towards carving out a niche among the Eastern Conference elite.
This would obviously seem to be the ideal for the Knicks but if they can’t get it done, they’ll need to be prepared to continue moving patiently, building up their war chest and focusing on more moderate developmental goals for their young players.