With the Knicks’ season being just a few games away from its conclusion, the offseason is closer than most would like to think. This may not be an offseason with major implications for the team’s future, however, there are a few things that need to be addressed.
Fans could be in line for a relatively calm and perhaps boring offseason, however, there are certainly some changes that definitely need to be made, and some players are in need of being brought back.
Who knows what Leon Rose’s master plan is for this upcoming offseason? Regardless, these three things are what Rose should already be working on ahead of the 2022-23 season’s conclusion.
Here are three offseason tasks Leon Rose and the Knicks should already be looking towards accomplishing.
3. Trade Evan Fournier
Many were surprised when Evan Fournier was not traded at this year’s deadline, however, it is more likely than not that Rose was waiting to trade Fournier until this offseason for a couple of reasons.
For starters, Fournier’s value may honestly be higher in the offseason than it currently is because of the way his contract is structured. Fournier’s contract currently only has him guaranteed for the 2023-24 season, as at the end of that year he has a club option that likely any team would decline.
Taking a player in on essentially a one-year deal is a lot more tantalizing of a trade to pursue than a year and a half of said player. While the Knicks likely won’t get much and could potentially still need to attach a pick to any deal involved with Fournier, it’ll probably be much better than a trade made at the deadline.
Even if Rose can’t trade Fournier straight up in a deal, his $18.8 million cap hit can definitely be used as salary filler in a trade for a potential star player. The deal Rose gave Fournier is certainly a bad one and something he likely wants to make up for. If this is the case, hopefully, Rose finally ships Fournier off and saves our eyes from watching him play basketball for the Knicks.
2. Shop Obi Toppin and potentially RJ Barrett
As much as it pains me to say, it may be time for Obi Toppin and potentially even RJ Barrett’s time as Knicks to come to an end. While Barrett is incredibly less likely to be moved than Toppin, the potential of a big star asking out could move the needle for Rose.
In the case of Toppin, it has become increasingly clear that he is simply not a good fit in New York, which is a shame because his talent as a finisher is so obvious. However, apparently, it’s not obvious enough to Tom Thibodeau, who opts to use Toppin as a spot-up shooter as opposed to a pick-and-roll lob threat.
Regardless, there are no doubts that the Knicks could definitely get an upgrade at the backup power forward position if they opted to ship Toppin off. Even if they add a small ball four, 3&D wing type of player to replace Toppin, the team would benefit.
Really, the Knicks just need more defense and shooting power off the bench next season, and it just so happens that these two things are arguably Toppin’s worst traits. A trade would likely benefit Toppin, as he could finally be used in the proper role.
For Barrett, many fans likely don’t wish to see him being traded, but with him having a relatively disappointing season full of inconsistency, the Knicks could look to move on from him for a more consistent star.
This is, as we previously mentioned, much less likely to occur than a potential Toppin trade, but still something worth monitoring in the offseason.
1. Extend Josh Hart and Immanuel Quickley
These are easily the most important tasks to accomplish during the offseason. While Immanuel Quickley does have another year on his contract following the 2022-23 season, however, more likely than not, he will be extended this offseason.
As for Josh Hart, he was brought in at the trade deadline in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, and considering how quintessential he has been for the Knicks’ success since joining the team, it almost seems as if he must be extended.
Obviously, there’s no telling what Quickley could potentially sign for, but reports have made it seem as if he could receive a DeAndre Hunter type of deal (four-year $95 million). This sort of deal for the two-way prowess Quickley brings to the floor would be a steal and would allow the Knicks to lock up arguably their third-best player on a relatively team-friendly deal.
Hart is a little more tricky to size how large his contract will be. Not only does he have a $12 million player option which is unknown whether or not he will accept, but his price tag in general is rather difficult to gauge.
Regardless, Hart, despite being an excellent and crucial player, likely won’t break the bank to resign.
Rose must do everything in his power to bring these two back, not only are they fantastic players, but they embody that New York energy a lot better than almost anyone else in the league. Hopefully, he gets the job done and makes Knicks fans happy entering the 2023-24 season.