In theory, the New York Knicks have a lot to do between now and the start of the 2022-23 season. We’re all aware of the biggest need that needs to be addressed and to get there, Leon Rose will need to reconstruct the roster to pave way for younger talent.
New York made a flurry of offseason moves last year and it’s looking like the same will happen this summer, although I hope that the Knicks have more success next season than they did this year. Don’t we all?
The loss to Atlanta last Tuesday solidified the fact that New York wouldn’t make it to the play-in tournament, but since then fans have gotten to enjoy seeing more of the team’s younger players.
Hopefully, the front office will continue to build around the Knicks’ young core this summer so that New York can make it back to the playoffs.
With that being said, there’s three players in particular that shouldn’t be on the roster next year, excluding Kemba Walker because that’s already been established.
3 New York Knicks players who shouldn’t be on the roster next season.
3: Evan Fournier
Huh? Evan Fournier? The guy who just broke the Knicks’ record for most 3-pointers made in a single season? Yes, that one.
If you watch New York play regularly, you know that while Fournier has knocked down big shots, he’s also been MIA at times. Not literally, though, because he’s only missed two of New York’s 76 games this year.
The 29-year-old is averaging 14.1 points in the 74 games that he’s played in and is shooting 41.6% from the floor and 38.8% from the 3-point line. He now holds the Knicks’ 3-point record with 224 shots and counting.
At 29-years-old, he doesn’t fit the bill for the young direction that New York needs to go in, but that isn’t the reason why the Knicks should consider trading him this summer.
Earlier this year, New York traded for Cam Reddish, who’s out for the season with a shoulder injury. He can be the new starting shooting guard, but there’s also Quentin Grimes, who was the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Grimes has battled through injuries this season and has only played in 45 games, but he has the potential to be a starter.
Fournier is the Knicks’ best 3-point shooter (duh), but the rookie’s shooting 38.9% on an average of 1.6-4.1 attempts per game. That’s not bad at all.
If the front office does throw Fournier in a deal to sweeten things for the opposing team, New York won’t be worse off without him. On the other hand, if he’s still on the roster next year, that won’t be a bad thing for the Knicks either.