The New York Knicks have an offseason to-do list longer than previous offseasons. Most of the attention is on their pursuit of a star, but several Knicks could sign big-time extensions this summer.
New York is coming off its first 50-win season in over a decade, thanks in large part to the players (and coach) who could sign extensions.
5 Knicks who could sign contracts this offseason to remain in New York
5. Tom Thibodeau
Knicks fans have a love-hate relationship with Tom Thibodeau. It was mainly love this past season, as he guided the team to the No. 2 seed in the East, even with several injuries. He didn't receive the recognition he deserved in voting for Coach of the Year. Josh Hart was quick to point that out.
The 66-year-old is entering the final season of his current contract, and all signs point toward him signing an extension with New York this summer. New York Post's Stefan Bondy reported that a source "expressed confidence" that a deal will get done.
Shams Charania reported that Thibodeau could sign a deal worth $10 million or more a year.
"The Knicks very much want to lock in Tom Thibodeau long term...It wouldn't surprise anyone if his next deal approaches 8-figures."@ShamsCharania on the #Knicks and Tom Thibodeau pic.twitter.com/20mN4t5ufs
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 15, 2024
The front office has already assembled the perfect Thibodeau roster, and could add another star this summer that fits the coach's style. New York is all in on Thibs. He deserves to win at least one title as a head coach before he calls it quits (if he ever does).
4. Julius Randle
It's been three years since Julius Randle signed a four-year, $117 million extension in 2021. This summer, he'll be eligible to sign an extension. He has a $32.4 million player option he could decline next offseason to become an unrestricted free agent. Don't expect the front office to let things go that far.
Randle could sign an extension this summer worth $190.2 million over four years. Maybe the Knicks will have traded him before he's eligible. The Athletic's Fred Katz reported that New York isn't trying to trade the star forward, but knows that if the right star becomes available, Randle could be part of the package.
It'd be nice to see New York run it back next season (with Anunoby and Hartenstein), but it seems likelier that the front office will make some kind of trade. Maybe Randle will be included in it, or maybe not. He could ink another deal to remain part of the Knicks' core.
3. Isaiah Hartenstein
Isaiah Hartenstein could've played his last game in a Knicks uniform. If New York has anything to say about his future, he'll return in 2024-25. The 26-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this summer since the two-year contract he signed in 2022 free agency is up.
He came to the Knicks as a backup for Mitchell Robinson but took over the starting center job this season when Robinson had ankle surgery in December. It was the perfect opportunity for him to up his value, and in return, he'll get a nice payday in less than two months.
New York has Hartenstein's Early Bird rights, meaning it could go over the salary cap to sign him. It also means there's a limit on how much the Knicks can offer. The max deal he can sign is four years, $72.5 million. Other teams with more cap space could offer him more money. The Thunder are a team to watch.
Even though Hartenstein could get more money from another team, a four-year, $72.5 million deal would be a big jump from the two-year, $16 million deal he signed in 2022. It'd be massive if the Knicks re-signed him.
2. OG Anunoby
OG Anunoby has a $19.9 million player option for 2024-25 that he is expected to decline to become an unrestricted free agent. The Knicks didn't trade him for him less than five months ago to let him slip through their fingers in free agency.
After New York acquired Anunoby, Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reported that the wing would be willing to take less money in free agency if he ended up with the Knicks. Anunoby is a CAA client and his agent is Sam Rose, Leon's son. While anything could happen in free agency, it's safe to say the team has a very good chance of retaining Anunoby.
After the trade, he dealt with a couple of injuries, including an elbow injury that required minor surgery. Unfortunately, Anunoby has a lengthy injury history, but New York looked like a different team when he was on the floor. If he signs a new contract with the Knicks and can stay healthy next season (the same goes for the entire roster), maybe they'll finally make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Anunoby will decide on his player option by June 24 and could sign a four-year, $117 million deal on June 30, but as SNY's Ian Begley pointed out, that's only if he exercises his option. If he declines his option, he could sign a five-year deal worth up to $245 million.
1. Jalen Brunson
If Jalen Brunson signs an extension this summer, Knicks fans will love him even more. He'd be doing the organization a massive favor by doing so. He will be eligible to sign a four-year, $156 million deal but could wait until 2025 to sign a five-year, $270 million deal.
Even with the significant difference between what Brunson could make this offseason and next year, Newsday's Steve Popper reported that the indication is the star point guard will sign an extension this summer. There aren't many players out there willing to take that kind of a pay cut.
It's important to note that Popper's report doesn't mean Brunson will sign an extension before the 2024-25 season. If he decided to wait until next year, who could blame him? He's already on a steal of a contract.
Brunson's all about putting his team first, so it makes sense that he's reportedly willing to sign a new deal soon. If he doesn't, that doesn't mean he'll be on the way out next season. He loves New York as much as New York loves him.