Big Changes Knicks Must Make to Compete for NBA Championship in the Playoffs

Whether the New York Knicks belong in the 2022-23 NBA championship conversation or not is debatable.

Here's what it isn't: The franchise is as close to contending as it's been in a decade—if not longer.

To complete their ascension to full-fledged elite, though, a few things still need to happen. If the Knicks want to get serious about crashing the championship party, they should give serious consideration to making these three changes.

Lower RJ Barrett's Usage

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PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 14: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The New York Knicks won 123-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

This could be hard to hear, as the Knicks have already invested so much in RJ Barrett. As recently as last summer, you could've made the argument he was their most important player.

Things change in a hurry in this league, though. He has already been passed in the pecking order by Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson, but New York should think about dropping Barrett even lower.

His 34.1 minutes are his fewest since his rookie season, but they still put him top 50 in the league. Why is that important? Because among that top 50, the only players with a worse plus/minus than Barrett's minus-1.2 points per game play for the Charlotte Hornets (LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier), Orlando Magic (Paolo Banchero) or Houston Rockets (Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr.).

Barrett's flashes aren't enough to justify a role of this size. Not when the Knicks are 11.9 points worse per 100 possessions with him than without, per NBA.com. They don't have to bury him in the rotation, but until he starts showing better consistency at both ends, he can't be spoon-fed this much floor time.

More Offensive Involvement for the Bigs

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SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 9: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Entering Wednesday, New York had the league's fifth-most efficient offense.

This attack could still reach another level by involving its big men more, as Mitchell Robinson just let the social-media world know.

This doesn't need to be a dramatic shift in approach, but the Knicks could squeeze more out of their centers. Robinson is a 98th-percentile finisher as a pick-and-roll screener; why can't he find more than 0.7 shots per game out of those sets? Isaiah Hartenstein is an expert passer for a 7-footer; why are his per-36-minutes assists (1.8, per Basketball-Reference) and assist percentage (6.6) both at career lows?

There aren't many bigs with bounce like Robinson or vision like Hartenstein. New York needs to make more out of those gifts.

Find Major Minutes for Immanuel Quickley

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PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 14: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks looks on during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The New York Knicks won 123-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

The Knicks were talking Immanuel Quickley trades in December, per The Athletic's Fred Katz. They are fortunate those talks never went anywhere.

Quickley has been incredible during his third go-round in Gotham. His averages and percentages are both peaking, and his impact has been enormous.

New York has fared 5.9 points better per 100 possessions with Quickley than without. Among the Knicks' rotation regulars, only deadline addition Josh Hart betters that mark.

New York has rewarded Quickley with a career-high 28.5 minutes per night, but he's capable of handling even more.