Most of the focus around The New York Knicks has been centered around the team’s younger stars. The players who seem to have cemented themselves as part of the “Young core” and vital pieces of the team’s future success: Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Mitchell Robinson. The development of these core young players has the team playing at their highest level in a long time, but it’s not just the stars who have been a part of The Knicks’ transformation.
With every successful team comes important role players, and The Knicks have had a few this season. While RJ Barrett and Randle have been the dynamic duo to do most of the heavy lifting, we’ve seen this team rely on some of their complementary players as well.
Derrick Rose, Reggie Bullock, and Alec Burks have all received significant playing time throughout the season, and all have been major contributors to The Knicks’ success. All 3 players will also be unrestricted free agents in the offseason.
No way The Knicks keep Bullock, Rose, and Burks
Much of The Knicks’ offseason talk will be around extending Julius Randle, signing or trading for other big names, or even trading up in the draft. They also need to figure out what to do with the 3 key role players who will be on the market.
Rose, Bullock, and Burks all have had different pathways to The Knicks and all of them play different roles. It’s hard to imagine a world where all 3 of them are re-signed. Let’s take a look at each player and whether or not a Knicks reunion is likely next season.
Knicks: Reggie Bullock has started all season
Reggie Bullock has been the quintessential “3&D” wing player for The Knicks all season long. I’m not sure you’ll ever hear a player analysis ofReggie Bullock without the term “3&D”, and he’s taken it to a whole new level this season. Bullock has posted his best efficiency numbers since 2017-2018 – He’s shooting 40% from 3 and 42.7% from the field. He’s been a terrific catch-and-shoot option to play off of Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. He spaces the floor.
He’s been a very solid perimeter defender as well. Bullock has held opponents to shooting -6.2% worse than their average 3-point shooting percentage. On defense, he’s physical at the point of attack and he’s gotten the chance to take his game to another level under Tom Thibodeau.
It’s easy to forget that Bullock was on this team just last season. A much worse team and he was playing about 7 fewer minutes per game but also had missed most of the season due to injury. Now, he finds himself in a leadership role in New York while starting every night. So the big question is, will the Knicks retain Bullock for next season?
It’s hard to say what the market for Reggie Bullock will be this offseason. You know what you get with the 30-year-old wing: Defense and catch-and-shoot ability. Bullock does have extreme limitations with the balll in his hands. He’s not even a remotely capable playmaker, and he isn’t someone who creates their own shot.
Here’s a look at some deals from the last offseason for similar players:
- Jae Crowder (29 years old) 3 years, 30 million
- Moe Harkless (27 years old) 1 year, 3.6 million
- Kentavious Caldwell Pope (27 years old) 3 years, 40 million
These aren’t perfect player comps to Reggie Bullock, but rather the most similar level of players in terms of age and what they bring on the court.
I don’t believe Bullock will demand as much as ae Crowder or Caldwell-Pope, but he will want more than just a 1 year deal. He’s started every game he’s played for this team and he’s clearly a favorite of Tom Thibodeau. Thibodeau will very clearly be banging the table to keep his veteran leader. He’s still got some prime left in his early 30s.
Knicks: Reggie Bullock re-signs for 2 years, 14 million
Does Alec Burks have a future with The Knicks?
Alec Burks has really established himself in the NBA in the 2nd half of his career. After playing solid minutes for The Utah Jazz early in his career, Burks playing time diminished. He then bounced around with a few lesser teams, until he started to find a groove again with both The Warriors and The 76ers in 2019-20. He’s been even better with The Knicks.
Alec Burks has been a valuable bench scorer for The Knicks all season long. His size (6’6) and skillset have seen him been used at the 2, small forward, and even as a point guard at times. He’s one of the few Knicks who can create their own shot off of the dribble.
Burks signed just a 1-year 6 million dollar deal with The Knicks last offseason and he’s been worth every penny. Burks has posted fantastic shooting numbers (42.4% FG, 41.8% from 3, 85.4% FT) and has been a big part of the success for The Knicks’ 2nd unit.
Burks is an important piece for the bench. The positional versatility (Even if he’s very limited at point guard) has been a big part of the Knicks staying afloat with all of their backcourt injuries. When he’s with the starters, Burks can space the floor for Randle and Barrett.
So what will Burks demand on the market? Let’s once again look at some contracts given out to similar players in last year’s offseason:
- Rodney Hood (28 years old) 2 years 21 million
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (27 years old) 3 years, 40 million
- Jordan Clarkson (28 years old) 4 years, 52 million
- DJ Augustin (32 years old) 3 years, 21 million
These are all esentially the microwave secondary scorers who are similar to Burks in age. Do I expect Burks to deman Clarkson money? No. Caldwell-Pope money? Very possible.
The 29-year old Burks is certainly worthy of a multi-year deal. You might say he’s the least “Thibs guy” of 3 players in this article. This is where the front office steps in and emphasizes Burks’ value as a scorer, solid defender, and his durablity this season. There’s always going to be a team ready to ovepay for a veteran bucket-getter like Burks, so I think The Knicks will shell out a sizeable deal.
Knicks: Alec Burks re-signs for 3 years, 40 million
Knicks have a tough decision to make on Derrick Rose
Man, this is tough. The Knicks went out and traded for Derrick Rose this season in search of more scoring and playmaking from their guards, and he’s given them everything he’s asked for. Rose has been a punch of offense that the team has needed. It seems like every time he starts, the team looks energized.
If I’m looking at positional upgrades that The Knicks need to make next season, it’s always point guard that jumps out. The team needs a point guard who can both playmake and space the floor – It doesn’t need to a superstar caliber player, just someone who will help open up the offense for everyone else. Maybe it’s Lonzo Ball, maybe it’s a rookie from the draft, maybe it’s someone else.
Derrick Rose has without a doubt brought some playmaking abilities to the team, but can the team make a move for a point guard, develop Immanuel Quickley, and hand out millions of dollars to Derrick Rose?
I’m writing this as a balance of what I think will happen and what I want to happen. Being realsitic while being optimistic. Is there a chance The Knicks resign all 3 veteran players who are hovering around 30? Derrick Rose is 32, and the main issue for me is durability.
He is still going to require the Knicks to shell out some money, potentiall similar to Alec Burks’ proposed offer of 3-years 40 million. Can The Knicks hand out over 28 million per year to 3 veteran role players, with a Julius Randle extension looming, an RJ Barrett 2nd contract on the horizon, an influx of rookies, and the possibility of bringing in roster upgrades through free agency and trades? It’s not likely.
Maybe Derrick Rose’s relationship with coach Tom Thibodeau will keep him with the team. Maybe he wants to be here and will take a discount.
These are tough conversations to have, but ultimately ones that the front office will need to have. I think someone else will throw Derrick Rose some solid money.