Could the New York Knicks be Title Contenders Next Year?
The New York Knicks couldn’t make it to the Eastern Conference Finals after falling just short in a Game Seven to the Indiana Pacers. However, there are many reasons the Knicks faithful should have hope going into next season after decades of disappointment. Even after a flurry of injuries that led to the Knicks losing this series, they were still able to take another playoff team to the brink without several starters playing games in this series. Nonetheless, with the Knicks eliminated let’s break down how they improve to compete for a championship next season.
Firstly, the Knicks have created a culture of toughness and hustle thanks to their Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. This culture is a rare quality in an NBA team and has helped the team overachieve in the regular season and in these playoffs. However, the Knicks need to add some pieces to get more talent in the room so they can compete for a championship next year. Whoever the team adds, they need to embrace the culture of hustle or else any addition they bring on to the team could undermine what the Knicks are currently doing well.
The Knicks have done an outstanding job of acquiring hard-working players and have some great role players who are young and cheap. With solid emerging stars, Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, bringing energy and toughness under the spotlight of New York, they are valuable pieces to what the Knicks are all about. Whoever they acquire this offseason needs to mix well with their current stars. Additionally, the Knicks have serious depth with Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, and OG Anunoby who delivered some big playoff performances when called upon these past few weeks. So with the Knicks having cap space, a hard-working culture, and young emerging talent, who could the Knicks add that would fit well with this group and move the needle for the team next season?
Three primary candidates the Knicks should look at are Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Brandon Ingram this offseason. All of these players average over 20 points a game with great mid-range shooting and can play great defense at times. The best individual player from the three options is Kevin Durant, however, he is not a free agent and would require a blockbuster trade to convince the Suns to move off him. KD might also not be the best culture fit for the Knicks whereas George and Ingram are viewed more as grinders which could work for the team. Ingram is also tied to a contract with the Pelicans currently, but the Knicks easily have the trade capital to go get him and add another proficient scorer on the wings. However, Paul George makes the most sense for the Knicks because he is a free agent and gives his all to both ends of the floor, but the question is if he can stay healthy if he plays hard throughout the entire regular season and the playoffs.
Over the past few years, the team has been patient and now it is starting to see the rewards of it with its latest playoff run. However, they need to add another star at the forward position to start being considered a serious contender. If they add another dynamic piece, that could help take some of the load off of Brunson and Randle to carry the offense each time down the floor, they could start seriously contending with anyone in the Eastern Conference. No matter what happens this offseason, the Knicks should be extremely proud of their success this season and their fans finally should have hope for the next few years with this core group of players.
