Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! Today, we are looking back on the New York Knicks’ offseason!
Previous Offseason Outlooks:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
********************************************
Additions: Mikal Bridges (trade), Keita Bates-Diop (trade), Cameron Payne, Chuma Okeke
Subtractions: Isaiah Hartenstein, Bojan Bogdanovic (trade), Alec Burks, Shake Milton (sign-and-trade), Duane Washington Jr., Mamade Diakite (trade), Charlie Brown Jr., DaQuan Jeffries
Re-signed: Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Jacob Toppin, Precious Achiuwa
Draft: Pacome Dadiet (No. 25 overall) Tyler Kolek (No. 34), Kevin McCullar (No. 56), Ariel Hukporti (No. 58)
Hanifan’s Take: Losing Isaiah Hartenstein on the open market is a tough blow. They made the biggest offer–four years for $72.5 million–they could make with his non-bird rights, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to sway him over Oklahoma City’s $87 million offer (over three years). That was out of their control. Though New York arguably made the offseason’s biggest move by snagging Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for five first-round picks (four unprotected), one unprotected swap, Bogdanovic, Diakite and Milton. We already covered the Nets’ offseason and their angle of the move here. Did the Knicks overpay? Absolutely. But do you have to overpay to get your guy? Sometimes, yes. Could it be beneficial in the end? Sure! Bridges’ arrival reunites him with his former Villanova teammates, Jalen Brunson–its franchise player–plus Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. Bridges slots in seamlessly as a secondary creator who can defend multiple positions and properly space. He was tasked with too much of a creation burden in Brooklyn–one he won’t have with the Knicks, which should boost his two-way prowess. They also did great work securing Brunson on an inexpensive four-year deal (relative to the rest of the market) while re-signing Anunoby and Achiuwa. Two other moves that could reap immediate benefits are landing Tyler Kolek and Kevin McCullar in the second round.
Grade: B+
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!