Julius Randle trade and 2 other moves Knicks must make to win title

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 10: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat during game five of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden on May 10, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 112-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 10: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks reacts in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat during game five of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden on May 10, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 112-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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New York Knicks, Immanuel Quickley
Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks. (Photo by Rich Storry/USA TODAY Sports)

2: Add shooting

The Knicks shot 29.2% in the playoffs this year. Read that again. It reaffirmed New York’s need to add three-point shooters in the offseason.

Evan Fournier still has one full season left on the four-year, $78 million contract that he signed with the Knicks two offseasons ago, but he’s certainly going to be out the door. New York’s shooting woes in the postseason weren’t enough to prompt Tom Thibodeau to put Fournier in, so that should’ve told fans everything that they needed to know.

The front office could look to the 2023 free agency class to help fill their need for shooting with players like Fred VanVleet or Seth Curry. That isn’t to say that the Knicks should sign either one of those players, but that’s just an example of what’s available.

The Knicks can’t afford to have a game in the playoffs where they shoot 10-for-35 (28.6%), which is what the team shot in Game 6 against the Heat. For New York to be able to make it past the Eastern Conference Semifinals next year, adequate three-point shooting is going to need to be a requirement.