NY Knicks: Constructing the team’s dream offseason
By Max Hoover
Players who will leave the NY Knicks in free agency
Before I get too far into the dream scenario I am outlining here, it is important to first discuss who from this year’s team will not be on the Knicks next year.
The NBA’s most recent projections for the salary cap and luxury tax line are $112 million and $136.6 million respectively. I give the Knicks fan base a lot of credit for having loyalty to certain players, but sometimes to improve in the NBA you have to cut ties with guys you like.
Elfrid Payton:
Did you see what I did there? Anyway, this one is a no-brainer for Leon Rose. It’s time to move on from Elfrid Payton. I won’t continue to pile on Elf because he is still a human being. It’s just time to move on. Let’s leave it at that.
Frank Ntilikina:
This is the really tough one for Knicks fans to handle. He is a mythical creature in certain segments of the fanbase, but his play on the court has never quite lived up to the ethos around him. When trying to build a championship contender even something as small as what Ntilikina will likely make next year could be a make-or-break piece.
If a defensive-minded coach like Tom Thibodeau couldn’t make it work for Ntilikina with the Knicks, I don’t think anyone can. The Knicks will cut ties by declining to extend a qualifying offer. The Charlie Ward curse continues.
Alec Burks:
This is a dollar and cents move. The Knicks will need to keep one of Burks or Bullock for what they provide on the wing. I give the advantage to Bullock for a few reasons. First and foremost, I think he will be a more cost-efficient option on the open market and the Knicks have Early Bird Rights. Second, he gives a bit more on the defensive end.
Burks had a great year with the Knicks and is likely in for a payday because of it. That payday just likely will not be accompanied by a Leon Rose handshake.
Jared Harper:
Harper is a promising young player at only 23-year-old, but every penny counts, and he will not be on the Knicks 14-man roster next year.