New York Knicks: Three options to improve the bench next season

Whether the Knicks bring in a new core of players in free agency or not, they definitely need to improve their bench this offseason.

The New York Knicks roster could undergo a major overhaul this offseason. While the 2019 free agency period may have been disappointing for Knicks fans, at the very least, the franchise didn’t commit any long-term money to their free-agent signings.

At the end of the current season, Allonzo Trier, Moe Harkless, and Damyean Dotson will be free agents (Trier and Dotson, restricted). Bobby Portis will likely have his $15 million dollar club option declined, and Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington, Elfrid Payton, and Reggie Bullock each carry just a $1 million dead cap hit if they are waived.

Before I go into why the Knicks need to reassess their bench, there are a few names that I believe they should attempt to retain. I personally would like to see Bullock and Dotson stick with the team, primarily because of their shooting. It remains to be seen if the Knicks prioritize any of these players, but I separate them from the majority of other players with contracts coming up that I don’t see sticking around next season.

The Knicks could certainly go after big-name free agents whenever the offseason officially arrives, but spending a lot of money on the open market can be risky.

Let’s discuss why it’s important for the Knicks to at least improve their bench and review three options to help them achieve that goal.