Knicks’ Top Needs in 2024 NBA Offseason

The 2024 NBA offseason could be a transformational time for the New York Knicks.

Or maybe they don’t think transforming this team is necessary after it pushed its way into the Eastern Conference semifinals despite a relentless rash of injuries.

The Knicks have the resources to take a big swing should they choose, but they also have enough key contributors heading to free agency, that they could put their primary focus on in-house matters.

Let’s dig into what New York needs to gain this summer.

Jalen Brunson was a point-producing wrecking ball in the postseason. Only Joel Embiid, last season’s MVP, pumped in more points per game in these playoffs than Brunson’s nightly tally of 32.4.

It was mostly mesmerizing stuff from Brunson—his shooting rates could’ve been higher if you want to get nitpicky—but it was also an accurate reflection of how little scoring help he had around him.

Only two other Knicks averaged 15-plus points in the postseason: sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo (17.8) and defensive stopper OG Anunoby (15.1). Alec Burks, who didn’t crack the playoff rotation until the final five contests, averaged New York’s fourth-most points (14.8).

Granted, a clean bill of health could’ve hugely helped, particularly with Julius Randle, who snagged his third career All-Star nod before a shoulder injury ended his season. Moving forward, though, the Knicks might need more offensive protection, particularly if they have any interest in shopping Randle, who was wildly inefficient during his previous two playoff trips.

The Knicks just posted their highest winning percentage in over a decade (.610). Then, they fell a single win shy of making their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000.

Mitchell Robinson was a bystander for most of this success, as his latest injury issues limited him to just 37 games over the regular season and playoffs combined. Isaiah Hartenstein was right in the thick of all that winning, pacing ‘Bockers bigs with 62 starts including the postseason.

How much does New York take away from that? Because the Knicks probably need to pick one of these centers this offseason and let the other go.

Hartenstein is an unrestricted free agent who tremendously boosted his earnings potential. He’ll almost certainly make too much, frankly, to be on the same payroll as Robinson, who’s owed $27.3 million over the next two seasons, per Spotrac.

OG Anunoby re-signing with the Knicks has long felt like a forgone conclusion.

They parted with two building blocks—RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley—to get Anunoby, knowing he needed a new contract. Then, they proved essentially unstoppable with him on the floor, providing whatever confidence lift the front office may have needed.

So, his free agency will be simple, right? Perhaps not, actually. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there is some belief around the Association that Anunoby “could reach unrestricted free agency and consider deals from other franchises in addition to New York.”

That’s…interesting given what everyone thought about this situation. Maybe it means nothing other than Anunoby’s representation is looking to maximize its leverage over the Knicks, or perhaps there’s a price point at which this organization just walks away. Given how great this group looked with Anunoby at full-strength, though, New York needs to bring him back.