4 offseason nightmare scenarios Knicks fans want front office to avoid

The first round of the playoffs got underway last weekend, but the New York Knicks’ 2022 offseason began a little over a week ago.

There’s been reason to believe that the front office is headed in the right direction for an exciting summer, but that doesn’t mean that a few things won’t be botched along the way.

Let’s hope that isn’t the case. Although even the play-in tournament became out of the question for New York, the year ended on a high note behind the play of Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley.

Both players didn’t get the playing time that they deserved for the majority of the season, and when they finally did, it left Knicks fans yearning for more. It was almost as if the year ended on a cliffhanger (in a good way).

4 offseason night moves Knicks fans want the front office to stay away from

With those memories still fresh on our minds, the fact that the 2022-23 season is nearly half a year away is unfortunate. However, what would be even more unfortunate would be if New York’s front office made one of the following moves during the offseason.

4: Not signing RJ Barrett to an extension

RJ Barrett is the player that the Knicks should build their future around, so while signing him to an extension would be celebrated by fans, it wouldn’t be the absolute worst thing in the world if a deal wasn’t completed this summer.

The 21-year-old is a lock to play for New York through next year and if the two sides don’t agree to an extension, he’ll become a restricted free agent next offseason. The Knicks would be able to match any offer that comes Barrett’s way, but it doesn’t (and shouldn’t) have to come down to that.

Will RJ Barrett sign a maximum rookie extension with the New York Knicks?

Now that he’s officially available to sign a new deal since the offseason is underway, a possible extension would max out at five years, $181 million.

Some fans are hesitant to give him that much, especially after seeing how Julius Randle played after signing an extension, but some fans want a maximum extension deal to be completed as soon as possible.

Barrett’s made it clear that he wants to be in New York and given the growth that he made during 2022 alone, there’s no reason why a deal shouldn’t be made between the two sides this summer.

The front office doesn’t need to let a talent like Barrett slip through the franchise’s fingers. He’s THE player that the roster needs to be constructed around and there should be no room for doubt in terms of his future status.