The New York Knicks are looking to become true title contenders. Adding Jalen Brunson helped them vault to the fifth in the Eastern Conference and reach the second round of the playoffs, but they are not satisfied. The Knicks want to more and added a few pieces this summer. They have the draft capital and young talent to trade for a star but have been unable to find the right deal. Could they wait until next summer’s free agency?
The group of players hitting the open market is strong right now, but dwindling. Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Domantas Sabonis have already inked new long-term deals. More will come as the offseason winds down.
The Knicks could create significant cap space to acquire a marquee free agent. Josh Hart’s extension will cut into their room, but New York has plenty of tradeable contracts. If a superstar chooses the Knicks in free agency, they could easily find the space to sign him, but who should New York go after?
Best free agents the New York Knicks could target in 2024
5. Kyle Anderson
This is the most realistic free agent for the Knicks on the board. Superstar free agency is becoming a thing of the past as players take the guaranteed money on an extension and ask to be traded. Next summer features a few interesting cases that may prove that wrong, but the Knicks would have to do some maneuvering to create that kind of room too.
Anderson is set to make $9.2 million in the final year of his contract, and he will be looking for a raise on the open market. Expect him to command more than the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which could put the Knicks in the driver’s seat.
Kyle Anderson is a connector that fits on any team. Last season with the Timberwolves, he averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 28.4 minutes per game. The 6’9 forward could back up Julius Randle and play in any unit. His ability to do a bit of everything would fit nicely on the Knicks’ versatile roster.
Adding Kyle Anderson is a reasonable move if the New York Knicks decide to keep their roster intact and add on the edges, but what if the front office wants to make a bigger splash?