The New York Knicks plan to be active at the 2018 NBA trade deadline, but have a vision that it’s committed to seeing through—and the 2019 period of free agency will play its part.
The New York Knicks have spent the past 16 years searching for the one big move that will push it towards championship contention. It’s signed and traded for All-Stars, given up draft picks with reckless abandon, and relied upon the appeal of the New York City market.
As the 2018 NBA trade deadline nears, however, the Knicks are committing to a different type of vision—one of long-term planning and forward thinking.
New York has been linked to a number of intriguing players in recent weeks, including All-Star point guard Kemba Walker and athletic wing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. In order to acquire said players, it’s been asked to either take on an unfavorable contract or part ways with a first-round draft pick—if not both.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the reason for the Knicks’ reluctance to do so is that the front office is planning ahead for the 2018 NBA Draft and the 2019 period of free agency.
"The club wants to maintain cap space for the summer of 2019, when it projects to have significant money to spend on free agents. And New York adamantly wants to hold on to its 2018 first-round draft pick, which is viewed as a crucial part of its rebuild."
That may entail standing pat at the 2018 trade deadline, but a long-term vision that values cap space and draft picks doesn’t exactly offer reason for trepidation.
The 2019 period of free agency will be highlighted by some of the biggest names in the NBA. That list includes All-NBA guards Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, All-NBA forwards Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Love, and All-Star guards Jeff Teague and Kemba Walker.
It also includes quality second-tier players such as Al-Farouq Aminu, Eric Bledsoe, Kenneth Faried, Tobias Harris, T.J. McConnell, Khris Middleton, Nikola Vucevic, and Hassan Whiteside.
Perhaps most important of all is the fact that 2019 is when the Knicks will be tasked with re-signing franchise player Kristaps Porzingis.
Thus, while they may seem to be unrelated, the 2018 first-round draft pick would facilitate the free agency efforts in 2019. New York would be adding a player who could not only facilitate the long-term rebuild, but provide contributions on a cost-controlled contract.
The No. 1 selection in the 2018 NBA Draft will make a projected $7,901,100 in 2019-20, and the 14th overall selection will make a mere $2,800,400—a price range New York would love to fall in.
By adding a key rotational cog on a cost-efficient contract, the Knicks would preserve cap space in anticipation of the 2019 period of free agency.
Must Read: Pros and cons of tanking after the 2018 NBA trade deadline
The question is: Will the New York Knicks remain poised under the pressure of the 2018 NBA trade deadline and stay true to this vision?