The NY Knicks timeline has altered significantly since this time last year. If Leon Rose, William Wesley, Brock Aller, and Tom Thibodeau are The New York Avengers, it’s as if they threw the Infinity Stones wherever they wanted. Nothing is the same.
(I go back and forth on who would be The Hulk. Thibs has the anger, but World Wide Wes has the propensity for being shirtless.)
The Knicks are currently a game and a half ahead of the Hawks for the four seed in the Eastern Conference with nine games left to play. It’s a far cry from where they were predicted to finish.
As fans, our primary focus right now should be enjoying the ride. Our crew of Avengers, however, has some big decisions lingering on the horizon.
There’s Julius Randle’s player option first and foremost. Not really a difficult decision to make at this point given his All-NBA caliber play.
There’s what to do with Mitchell Robinson. Do they merely pick up his option knowing he could walk for nothing next offseason or do they extend him now? How does Nerlens Noel’s play and impending free agency impact their choice?
Then there’s the big one–the question that has plagued every Knicks front office reboot as far back as most of us can remember: Who will be the point guard.
Both Derrick Rose and Elfrid Payton are entering free agency this offseason, and it is highly unlikely that both players return next year.
Payton’s minutes have dipped in the month of April. He is currently only averaging 19.4 minutes per game in the month of April, per Cleaning the Glass, which is down significantly compared to his season average.
Thibodeau having Payton start both halves and then not seeing the floor again in waning moments is a sign that Payton is on the way out.
Rose is on an opposite trajectory from Payton. For him to return next year, the devil will be in the contract details.
The Knicks rest firmly atop the Eastern Conference’s second tier. A significant upgrade at point guard might be the move that pushes them into that top tier.
Let’s discuss three potential point guard upgrades for the Knicks this offseason. For each player, we’ll consider fit and cost.