NY Knicks: Spending big on multiple free agents would be a mistake

3 of 4

Zach LaVine, NY Knicks (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

NY Knicks: The team could be primed to add a star in 2022

List of potential 2022 unrestricted free agents:

Kevin Durant (player option)
James Harden (player option)
Kyrie Irving (player option)
Jimmy Butler (player option)
Bradley Beal (player option)
Russell Westbrook (player option)
Kawhi Leonard
Zach LaVine
Stephen Curry
Julius Randle
Aaron Gordon
Terry Rozier
Jonas Valanciunas
Marcus Smart

Some of these names are a lot more reasonable than others in expecting them to be available, but I would think that at least a few of the big names would be ready to pursue opportunities elsewhere. New York knows this.

So in this free agency, let’s say just two of the big names are available. Let’s say Stephen Curry and Bradley Beal are free agents. The Knicks are going to want to have the room to tell them to come and play in New York and tell them that the foundation is set and that you could be the missing piece to make this team a contender.

I would imagine Leon Rose and the rest of the front office would rather have one of those players rather than have 45 million tied up in Lonzo Ball and Norman Powell. Not to mention, we’re expecting Randle will have his extension signed at this point.

When people say the NY Knicks are “waiting to acquire a star”, of course, it’s going to sound silly, but there is some truth to it.

The NBA is an ever-changing landscape. Just look at who is in the conference finals right now.

The league will look a lot different in just one year, and NY has the cap space and assets to be in a good position in case something drastic happens with a star player. Staying flexible for the future is important for this team that finally looks like an attractive destination.

So can they still improve the team this offseason? Can they add a piece while staying primed for something bigger in the future?