Knicks fans, we’ve made it to the All-Star break… normally a time where I as a fan take a MUCH needed rest from watching terrible basketball from our beloved Knicks. But this is new, suddenly I am finding myself craving New York basketball and the voices of Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Mike Breen.
The New York Knicks have won 6 of their last 7 home games and are sitting at 19-18…. Their best start since the magical 2012-2013 season. This team is finally looking to be building something strong and worth being proud of in NYC.
We may not be title contenders yet, but this group of guys sure are fun to watch night in and night out. From All-Star Julius Randle to bench player Theo Pinson, these Knicks are a tight group who are enjoying themselves out there.
Just because we have this break, does that mean the team can lose focus. The team’s second-half schedule does not favor us in the slightest. A few of my colleagues did a great job reflecting on how the Knicks performed so far, but what is next for them?
Undoubtedly the Knicks need more talent to see themselves hoisting that Larry O’Brien trophy. In the NBA, you have three ways to get talent, the draft, free-agent signing, and trades. Leon Rose and the rest of the organization should be making talent acquisition a main priority, no matter the route they take.
While the NBA is currently on their All-Star break, the Knicks should do some serious thinking. I may not personally be in the Knicks front office, although I am convinced if I were, we would be champions every single season…. I think they should set some goals for the rest of the year.
The Knicks currently have six players who will be unrestricted free agents on their roster this summer. Some have had impactful performances this year including Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel, and Alec Burks.
The Knicks need to establish a clear future in which they will run with, do they want to try and trade some of these players or try and get them to come back?
Are the Knicks turning the corner?
For as long as I have been a Knicks fan, they have been the butt of the joke in the NBA. This has been for many reasons, some include horrific draft selections, poor coaching hires, and panic free agent signings.
As strange as this year has been, it has been equally as strange for the Knicks. They seem to have their long-term coach in Tom Thibodeau, they found a gem in Immanuel Quickley, and kept relatively calm in this past offseason. It is almost as if they are starting to become, dare I say, competent. Wow!
Like last year, the Knicks currently have two first round picks in this upcoming draft and if they continue to want to build through the draft, they should be in good position to do so in such a talented class.
If they were to pursue a star-caliber player, they should also be in good position to do so with their picks and young talent to attach to a trade.
However, just because they may be in a good position to do one of these things, it does not mean it will be easy or simple. Their great start has allowed them to see how they can perform when clicking on all cylinders. Whichever route they decide to take they need to go all-in on, which has been a problem for them in the past.
Which option will Leon Rose want to take? Only time will tell, but it seems as if they are in good hands.
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson’s Future Is Still Cloudy
Mitchell Robinson, a fan favorite, and a second-round steal back in 2018 has been enjoying his time in New York thus far. He is a young talent who is already an elite rim protector with limitless potential.
Another one of the Knicks’ goals for the rest of the year is to decide what they want to do with Robinson regarding his future. If it were up to me, I would do whatever it takes to keep Robinson here for the long term.
However, seeing trade rumors involving players like Andre Drummond and Karl-Anthony Towns, it has me skeptical the Knicks are not 100% invested in Robinson. It also has made me learn all of the possibilities regarding the 22-year-old.
The Knicks have a team option for Robinson this upcoming off-season, meaning if they pick that option up, he will be under contract for next season at a shockingly price of $1.8 million, AKA a bargain. However, that may sound like a great plan, but this could also result in the Knicks losing Mitchell Robinson to free agency after his fourth year when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
To avoid potentially losing him to free agency, the team could not pick up the team option, which means Robinson would hit free agency this upcoming off-season and the Knicks could match any offer other teams make on him.
This would be the option that seems like a no-brainer for NY and then offer him a new deal to lock him in for the future. Before entertaining any trades involving “big men”, the team needs to make it clear what they want to do with Mitchell Robinson.
The Knicks could extend Randle
I WANT Julius Randle here in The Mecca, need to make that clear before discussing the possible options surrounding his future. Another goal for the Knicks before the end of the season is to figure out what they want to do with All-Star Julius Randle.
Randle is the primary reason for the Knicks early success this year, averaging 23.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists at the All-Star break, insanely good production. Randle said himself how badly he wants to be a Knick and the pride that comes with it in his latest article with The Player’s Tribune. Surely the team will lock him up for years to come, right? I pray they do….
Is Julius Randle a Knicks’ trade piece?
Under his current contract, Randle is with the Knicks until 2022 where he could become an unrestricted free agent if that plays out. Rather than waiting until 2022, the front office should have a goal with Randle and his future. Offer him a long-term deal or start thinking about including him in a trade for an elite player.
Like the Mitchell Robinson situation, this too seems like a no brainer for the Knicks, but we never know with them. I cannot speak on behalf of the organization, but all signs are pointing to a Julius Randle and New York Knick future.
Keep your All-Star, keep your young guys, establish a culture, entertain trades you know will favor you, and Madison Square Garden could start to look more and more enticing for future free agents to sign here and ultimately help achieve the main goal, win an NBA Championship.