Amid an incredible season, the Knicks have had a few disappointing players of which they could potentially move on from in the offseason. While the Knicks’ current roster may not be drastically different in the 2023-24 season, I think I speak for most fans when I say there are definitely some improvements that could (and should) be made.
These players may have served the Knicks well at one point, however, their disappointing play makes it easy to want to move on from them heading into the offseason.
Whether it be because of poor play, bad contracts, or the potential to improve at their position, these three players are more likely than others to not return for the upcoming season. It may be unfortunate, but for the sake of improvement, these moves almost have to happen.
3 players the Knicks should consider moving on from before 2023-24
3. Evan Fournier
Oddly enough, Evan Fournier was not traded at this year’s deadline. This is more likely than not because the Knicks would have had to add a first-round pick or more to whatever deal they had in place for him due to his contract.
However, heading into the offseason, Fournier will have just one more guaranteed season and then a club option, meaning it will be much easier for a team to want to take on his contract. While New York may still need to throw an asset alongside Fournier in a deal, it likely won’t be as hefty as a first-round pick.
Fournier has appeared in just 23 games this season, and in these matchups, he has averaged 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 35.1% from the field and 32.4% from three on 4.4 attempts. In addition to this, Fournier is a complete liability on defense, so it’s not surprising to see him barely receive minutes this season.
While getting rid of Fournier wouldn’t be the end of the world considering they could just decline his option and move on from him at the end of next season, it would be better to potentially get an asset out of him or maybe even use his contract as cap filler in a bigger trade.
There simply isn’t a genuine reason to keep Fournier around next season. Not only is he just not good at basketball anymore, but he isn’t a good enough leader to justify keeping him as a locker room presence.
2. Derrick Rose
Similar to Fournier, many were shocked to see that Derrick Rose was not traded at the deadline, especially with how many rumors were surrounding his potential departure. Even after the deadline, there were several reports that Rose could be bought out, however, the front office opted to keep him, which is understandable.
Unlike Fournier, Rose is a great leader and locker room guy with connections to Tom Thibodeau and the team’s previous playoff run, so it makes sense to keep him around for at least the remainder of the season.
That being said, it doesn’t make much sense to keep Rose around heading into the 2023-24 season. Not only is he going to be 35 next season, but he would be taking up a roster spot that could be used for a younger player with more potential.
In addition to this, it has been made clear that Rose wishes to play for a contending team and while the Knicks are a great team, they simply aren’t as good as a team like the Bucks, Celtics, Nuggets, etc.
The good thing about this, though, is that Rose has a team option on his contract following this season, so the Knicks can very simply decline the option and let him walk in free agency with no strings attached.
Rose will always be remembered for his playoff heroics, but it’s time to let the aging former MVP go to a team that would best serve his wishes to win a championship.
1. Obi Toppin
This may come as a bit of a surprise, however, Obi Toppin has been rather disappointing this season and Leon Rose could become more aggressive in the pursuit of upgrading this roster next year, making it more likely than before that Toppin could be traded.
There are plenty of solid backup power forwards that could potentially replace Toppin if he is traded. At the very least, the Knicks could bring someone in who would provide better defense and shooting, two things Toppin has struggled with.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe Toppin has all the talent in the world and is being horrifically misused. However, it’s for this same reason that I believe Toppin should be traded. Sending him to a team that will properly use his pick-and-roll ability would do wonders for his career and would serve him right.
Through 52 games this season, Toppin is averaging 6.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting 40.8% from the field and 33.1% from deep on 3.3 attempts. Considering how hot he started the season, the fall of Toppin has been sad to see.
Granted, he is only playing about 14.6 minutes a game, but compared to his production last season when he played 17.1 minutes per game, there are no doubts that he has taken a step back.
Again, not all of it is his fault, as he is a player with generational potential as a finisher being used as a catch-and-shoot stretch big, which is not the best thing we have ever seen out of Tom Thibodeau.
Regardless, a new scenario and team would help Toppin’s career while simultaneously allowing the Knicks to upgrade at a pretty important position.
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