New York Knicks: 3 offseason priorities after losing in the first round of the playoffs
By Rodney Pyram
The New York Knicks need to upgrade the point guard position
One thing that has plagued the Knicks for many years is the lack of a true floor general. Coach Tom Thibodeau loves an attacking point guard and while Derrick Rose has been excellent for them since coming in a trade with the Pistons back in February, he’s 32 and has a history of injury.
Rose clearly ran out of gas in this playoff series and is not the long term answer for this team. Neither is Elfrid Payton who struggled mightily the last two weeks of the season and gave the team next to nothing in the playoffs.
With Randle’s playmaking ability, point guard isn’t as much as need as just having a star player that can compliment him. However, the Knicks should look trade for a star point guard like Damian Lillard, whom at 30 years old is arguably the best point guard in the league.
Lillard, like Leonard, could be ousted in the first round as well and as loyal as he’s been to the city of Portland, could see his star shine brighter in the city of New York and contend further in the Eastern Conference. He wouldn’t come cheap, as Portland doesn’t have to trade him. It would likely take a God father offer of picks and young players like Immanuel Quickley, Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, and quite possibly RJ Barrett.
Kyle Lowry, a pending free agent, could also be a short term fix. Celtics have gauged interest in New York native Kemba Walker and could offer picks to take on his contract. Collin Sexton, whom the Cavaliers might consider parting with, is a young attacking point guard who could also fill the void.
If all else fails, with two first round picks in this coming draft, the Knicks could look to address it there. But as always the draft is a crap shoot.