Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News lists five offseason questions facing the Knicks, including whether the team will try to acquire free agent guard Jalen Brunson. New York has long been rumored to be interested in Brunson, and with his strong playoff performance so far — he’s averaging 32.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 5.0 APG on .507/.412/.850 shooting through three games — he should command a substantial contract.
Bondy also wonders whether the Knicks will pursue Donovan Mitchell or Bradley Beal this summer, among other questions facing the franchise.
Here’s more on the two teams based in New York:
- The Knicks should part ways with Julius Randle this summer, opines Tommy Beer of BasketballNews.com. After becoming an All-Star, receiving a second-team All-NBA nod, and being named the league’s Most Improved Player in 2020/21, Randle had a tumultuous third season in New York. He was fined multiple times, had several incidents with the team’s fans, his numbers were down across the board, and his defense declined. Beer believes New York would still get a quality player in exchange for Randle, though he admits the team would undoubtedly be selling low on the talented forward.
- Although they currently don’t have any cap space, the Knicks do have pathways to reshape their roster this summer, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Insider link), who breaks down the team’s options in his offseason guide.
- Zach Lowe of ESPN (Insider link) explores how the Nets might use Ben Simmons if he returns to action against Boston — perhaps in Game 4. Lowe believes Simmons would initially come off the bench, and his addition would help Brooklyn’s defense, rebounding, and transition offense. A frontcourt featuring Simmons and Kevin Durant would provide more versatility than the team currently has at its disposal, Lowe notes.
My take isn’t going to be spicy enough to suggest Brunson is better than Mitchell, but right now the chasm between the two seems to be dwindling quickly.
Brunson has at least outplayed Mitchell in this series – one where no one would have blamed Dallas for rolling over, and Utah has the last iota of its self-respect at stake.
Having said that, the Knicks will be hard-pressed to get either. Dallas will undoubtedly pay Brunson and we probably don’t have the assets to get Mitchell (unless Trader Danny just wants all the picks).
Donovan or Beal is not plausible
Brunson is possible
Dins is probably most likeliest
If Cuban won’t pay the bill Dins and Bullock outgoing for Randles salary works in a 3 teamer if you can find the 3rd team
Id love to see Brunson mix up this next dull free agency but he’s making it real hard for Dallas to say No now. I think NYK is super interested tho and they will at least get into some pretty serious discussions. They want him No doubt
If Dinwiddie and Bullock is the best NY can get for Randle I’d say just let him come back and hope he plays better, then revisit at the deadline.
People forget NY has a lot of draft equity, all of their own picks plus some others. If a team is selling their star player (by choice or otherwise) future assets are usually the biggest ask.
Having said that I agree Beal makes no sense for either side, really. And I think Rudy is the obvious first choice to move this offseason in Utah as opposed to Mitchell
The Knicks will try to sign or trade for many impact players this off-season.. and get none of them.
Then they’ll pivot and overpay for a few players ala Fournier, Rose, Burks, Noel, and Kemba and sell it to their dumb fanbase.
We’ll all be laughing at the signings by November next year.
Rinse, Repeat.
Agree with Tommy Beer in theory, but I hate his two proposals.
Hayward is in his 30s and is currently having setbacks with the ankle of the foot that nearly detached from his leg 5 years ago. Unless there’s something else significant (PJ Washington?) to that deal, I’m not sure why NY is all that interested.
Brogdon makes some sense. Pairing Randle with Tyrese might be a nice idea. NY needs a PG is the mantra. But Brogdon has almost as much trouble staying on the floor as Hayward, and he’s also about to be on the wrong side of 30.
Plus his 3 point shooting tanked this season and his assist ratio is kind of middling for a guy with his usage. It would be too Knicks-ian for Rose to swap Randle for Brogdon then watch Brogdon’s career continue to decline irreparably.
Agreed on both players…I understand trading Randle is “undoubtedly selling low” but that doesn’t necessarily mean a bad return.
I predict Beal opts out and joins Luka in Dallas. A lot of players will line up soon wanting to play with Luka and the younger stars of the NBA.
How would that work under the cap rules?
Sign and Trade. You’d see… maybe Brunson as a double S&T but probably THJ and another contract to match salaries.
That probably works but honestly … if THJ is coming back healthy next season, I might rather have him and Brunson and Dinwiddie instead of Beal.
Maybe that’s overthinking it (probably unlikely either way) but I think I’d rather replicate what Memphis is doing around Ja than trying to go all in on a Luka-Beal pairing.
So Wizards are taking ThJr + schufff for Beal …..Hmm
And the poster said opt out Philly
That sentiment is oblivious and misguided. Players like money and winning, and if a backseat is to be taken, be it later on.
Randle has become a headcase. His feelings are hurt cause NY won’t accept him as their superstar. He’s not built for NY. His best place is probably Dallas. There he knows Everyone knows Luka is King. He would compliment him well imo. Wanting to do well at home (he’s from Dallas).
Brunson makes no sense for us. You don’t pay him when you have Quickley and McBride making minimum. Bad for team chemistry.
Dinwiddie is the guy who makes more sense. Mavs then can look good to their fans by signing Brunson.
Anyone who thinks 3 gms is enough to compare Brunson to Mitchell is tripping.
Why writers use the Knicks for every FA and trade. Is really entertaining and telling.
Knicks can’t go forward or rebuild without a Randle trade. The sooner the better.
Really doubt Simmons gets much minutes or is very productive considering he hasn’t played ball in about a full years time but if he does play well he will be so important.
Have Simmons on Tatum and B. Brown on J. Brown. It’ll cause a lot of turnovers and much more tough looks and misses.
Offensively KD and Kyrie can play all the iso ball they want but when they go away from that you’ll have Ben driving the lane and kicking out to a bunch of really good outside shooters.
Especially with Rob Williams coming back, Horford at the 4 on either KD or Simmons is an absolute miss match and when they send help they need to find the open man.
I’d also give LaMarcus Aldridge some minutes…
Beal maybe if he forces his way out in a S&T. I don’t see Mitchell going anywhere until he gets Supermax.
Knicks just made moves to make moves like who else was giving Fournier that money? For a team that always wants the big bame FA they handcuffed themselves. Paying Randle is one thing, its 1 contract. But they have to burn assets just to move dudes.
Agreed – all of these moves take away from what to me is the obvious route.
Rose should be pulling a Presti but in NYC. Preserve the cap, accumulate picks and young players, then when you have that young franchise-ish player + cap + picks you’re the most attractive destination to every top 8 player in the league.
The business opportunities of being NYC are substantial, but guys aren’t going to come here to be mediocre with Thibs and get s**t on every week. You need to have a foundation first. Fournier and Randle are *not* that foundation.
The only GM in the past 20 years that has made any of the right moves for the Knicks has been Donnie Walsh. Cleaned up the cap only to watch Dolan do what he does with every other GM – blow the dollars on a back page splash and then languish in mediocrity at best the rest of the way.
The only player I would say with confidence that shouldn’t be dealt is RJ, otherwise everyone else can be had for the right offer.
I don’t expect the NYK to have any role in Brunson’s FA other than as a stalking horse. Rose will be happy to do that for him. The Knick’s long rumored interest in Brunson has to be viewed against the backdrop of the player he was (and the type of contract he could command) during the period(s) in question. That interest doesn’t necessarily indicate they would have interest in chasing him in the FA market after a breakout (career) year with a 100 mm contract offer, and then paying DAL the S&T toll for the privilege.
Mitchell and Beal are easy. Our resident AAU b-boy, WWW, will continue to annoy the players and their agents, their friends, their families, etc. Until the players demand a trade (or, in Beal’s case, opt out), NO, the Knicks won’t be pursuing them.
The FO has a lot to do this offseason. I doubt trading Randle will be a priority. They need to wait for a fit to get real value (and Randle is an ill-fitting piece). It may be a Knick best practice, but Rose is loath to sell low. But a healthy Brogdon would fit very well. But we don’t need another assistant coach.
I’d say the Knicks basically need to punt on next season.
Trade Randle and Fournier + whomever the Lakers want within reason for Westbrick. Reset your salary cap, give up zero picks in the process.
Scrap Randle Fournier Rose Burks Noel Kemba and Taj.
If Mitchell won’t accept a Time Lord contract like 4/40 or 4/50 then later.
Get any asset you can for the folks with only team options next year. Make a run at someone next year or during the season.
Re-up RJ, Cam Reddish on the cheap, and Mitchell. Maybe you take that risk of attempting to trade for Zion. And you need a legitimate PG.
You’re assuming the Lakers even want Randle. At this point, there is not a single team that wants an overpaid big baby like Randle unless there are multiple picks coming with him. Knicks fans need to face the reality that they’re stuck with him.
Listen I’m as low as anyone on Randle but—did you see Russell Westbrook this season?
You speak of overpaid big babies as if Randle is the only one … NBA is chock full of them