The 2024 NBA free agency frenzy will begin in a matter of weeks. This year's FA class isn't stacked with popular names, as players have tried to take their destiny into their own hands with trade requests, but it'll still be entertaining.
The New York Knicks will have several players enter free agency, highlighted by OG Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein. If fans had it their way, both will be back in orange and blue next season. How might their fates (plus a few of their teammates' futures) play out?
Ranking key Knicks free agents by likelihood to return next season
5. Jericho Sims (team option)
Jericho Sims comes in at fifth because of his contract situation. If the Knicks don't pick up his $2 million club option next season, he'll enter free agency. If New York wants to keep him, the front office will pick up that option. If the front office doesn't, the assumption should be that the center will be on his way out.
Sims was the No. 58 pick in the 2021 draft. After the Knicks traded RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes this past season, Sims is one of the only homegrown players left on the roster. Unfortunately, he hasn't progressed like Miles McBride has, which is why the young guard propelled himself into Tom Thibodeau's rotation.
The 25-year-old has a limited skillset. He was leapfrogged by Precious Achiuwa in the depth chart after the Dec. 30 trade. If New York declines Sims' option, the front office could re-sign Achiuwa or draft a center with one of its picks. Center will be a position to watch this summer, as Isaiah Hartenstein could sign elsewhere.
Sims can outjump any other player in the gym, but that's not enough for him to stay with the Knicks.
4. Alec Burks (unrestricted free agent)
New York decided to bring in a familiar face before the 2024 deadline when the front office traded for Alec Burks (and Bojan Bogdanovic). Many said the Knicks won the trade deadline, but that was before Burks and Bogdanovic's slumps. Burks' was so bad that Thibs pulled him from the rotation.
It wasn't until injuries left Thibodeau no choice but to play Burks in the postseason. His play was a pleasant surprise as he breathed life into a team that desperately needed it. He didn't start his second Knicks tenure off on the right foot, but he ended the season on a high note.
Burks will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Unless he's willing to take the veteran minimum to return to New York, the front office shouldn't consider re-signing him. The Knicks need a backup point guard for when Jalen Brunson isn't in the game, and Burks isn't that player. His shot is a plus, but that's only when it's falling.
New York will already be strapped financially, so keeping Burks shouldn't be a priority.
3. Precious Achiuwa (restricted free agent)
When the Dec. 30 trade happened, the focus was on Anunoby, not Precious Achiuwa. Anunoby was still the star of the show, but Achiuwa quickly made a name for himself, too. He averaged 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 assists per game during the regular season (18 starts). With Hartenstein on a minutes restriction and Robinson out, Achiuwa stepped up.
In the playoffs, Achiuwa's minutes dropped. He went a couple of games without playing, but he still exceeded expectations for the second half of his season in New York.
The 24-year-old will be a restricted free agent this summer, and the Knicks have until June 29 to offer him a one-year qualifying offer. If the Knicks suspect that Hartenstein will leave in free agency or want to bolster their already lacking frontcourt depth, maybe they'll retain Achiuwa.
Similar to this past season, Achiuwa would continue to be a backup, but could step into the starting lineup when needed. If New York keeps Hartenstein and Anunoby, the organization will be approaching the second tax apron. Keeping Achiuwa shouldn't be a priority but it could happen.
2. Isaiah Hartenstein (unrestricted free agent)
If Knicks fans had it their way, Hartenstein would be higher on this list. However, the reality of the situation says otherwise. There's a real chance he could leave New York in free agency for a better offer elsewhere.
New York Post's Stefan Bondy reported that an NBA source said the Thunder have "real" interest in the center. Oklahoma City is one of the teams projected to have the most cap space this summer. The front office could sign Hartenstein to a short-term deal, allowing the Thunder financial flexibility.
The Knicks won't be able to offer the most money, but they still have an upper hand. In Hartenstein's two seasons in New York, the team made the playoffs. He stepped into the starting role last December after Mitchell Robinson got injured, and he shined. He's a significant part of the culture the team has built.
Unfortunately, Hartenstein's success doesn't come without a price. There's a real chance he could walk in free agency, but that doesn't mean a return to the Knicks should be ruled out.
1. OG Anunoby (player option)
The Knicks didn't trade for Anunoby less than six months ago to lose him in free agency. He has a $19.9 million player option, and he's expected to decline it to become a free agent. The wing could make up to $30 million annually on his next contract, a price other teams, such as the Sixers, could be willing to pay.
Anunoby was only in New York for half a season, but it didn't take long for it to be confirmed that he was one of the team's missing pieces. After the forward took the floor, January was the best month of the season. The month's end brought injuries to Anunoby and Randle that sidelined the former for a few weeks and the latter for the rest of the season.
Even though the Knicks will have competition for Anunoby, don't expect him to go anywhere. He's represented by CAA, and his agent is Sam Rose, Leon's son. The younger Rose acts on behalf of his client, and Anunoby speaks glowingly of New York.
The wing was part of the Raptors' 2019 championship run, although he missed most of it because of emergency appendectomy surgery. If he can stay healthy (which is a concern), he could play a significant role in the Knicks winning their first title in 50 years.