Which players should the New York Knicks retain?
A lot of expiring contracts will be coming off of the books this offseason for New York, and the team needs to be smart with who they decide to keep and who they let go.
First off, I think Kevin Knox, Frank Ntilikina, and Elfrid Payton are all goners. Knox has one more year left before restricted free agency and could be a part of an easy trade for a future second-round pick. Both Payton and Ntilikina will be free agents, and as we saw in the playoffs, Payton’s time with New York has basically come to an end. I would only consider bringing back Ntilikina as a bench piece if he signs a veteran minimum.
Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock, and Nerlens Noel are all free agents that I would love to see the Knicks retain, although it most likely will only be at most two out of three of them. Bullock became a key leader and catalyst, and his 3-point shooting and perimeter defense were key parts to the Knicks’ success. I would try hard to retain him, and I think they will as a bench piece, on a two-year deal.
Burks might be a little more difficult but his clutch scoring was too good not to at least try and bring back. After another efficient scoring season, Alec might be difficult to draw away from other teams but you could probably get him back on a two-year deal.
Noel is the one that I think is most unlikely to return. Noel had a breakout season as an elite defender for New York, averaging 2.2 blocks and 1.1 steals coming off of the bench for the majority of the season. I think a team in desperate need of a big man, may decide to pay Noel in the range of 3-years, $30 million. For that reason, the Knicks may look to sign a big man and draft one as well.
Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson have spots on the team if neither decides to retire and want to run it back. If Tom Thibodeau is one thing it’s loyal, and both Rose and Gibson are like sons to the Knicks’ head coach. I don’t anticipate either signing elsewhere.
Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Mitchell Robinson are the pieces to build around. Randle, I think, will get a long-term extension this offseason and one key will be finding a good running mate to pair up with him.