3: Trading a combo of the team’s veteran players
If New York’s active in the offseason (which it should be), the Knicks could part ways with a few of the players on their roster.
Without a doubt, Kemba Walker will be elsewhere next year. Unfortunately, his ‘homecoming’ ended up being a bust for both him and New York. The Knicks didn’t deal him before the Feb. 10 trade deadline, nor did he get bought out, so he’ll be on the move this summer.
What players will the New York Knicks trade during the offseason?
Outside of Walker, it’s tough to envision players like Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, Evan Fournier, and even Derrick Rose on next season’s roster. Unfortunately, Toppin could be gone during the offseason as well, although it’d be counteractive for the team to trade him.
I think that Burks and Noel will surely be on the move. Fournier just broke the Knicks’ single-season record for made 3-pointers, so he’s had success, although inconsistencies have plagued him this year.
Rose hasn’t played in a game since mid-December, but before he underwent ankle surgery, he did well as New York’s starting point guard. If Burks is traded, Rose could continue to act as the backup or starting point guard.
Nonetheless, if the Knicks want to upgrade their current roster, the front office has their work cut out for them this summer.