Knicks' Complete Free-Agency Preview and Predictions Before 2023 NBA Draft
The New York Knicks' path to contending during the 2023-24 NBA campaign starts now.
While they don't currently possess a pick in this week's draft, they have ample resources to acquire one should they choose.
They'll have decisions to make in free agency shortly thereafter. And the opportunity to broker a trade for established talent—front-line or support—could surface at any moment.
It's a big offseason in the Big Apple, so let's examine everything ahead.
Draft Preview
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If New York stands pat, it will be left out of this draft.
The Knicks traded their first-round selection to the Portland Trail Blazers in February for all-purpose swingman Josh Hart. They previously sent out their second-round pick in last summer's Kemba Walker salary dump.
Had they gotten lucky at the lottery, they could have swiped the Dallas Mavericks' first-rounder as the final part of the 2019 Kristaps Porziņģis trade. But that pick had top-10 protection on it, and it landed 10th overall. The Knicks are now owed a 2024 first-rounder with the same top-10 protection.
New York hasn't dropped any hints about dealing for a draft pick, but that option is on the table. Between this team's future picks and current prospects, the Knicks have more than enough trade chips to move into this talent grab.
Free Agency
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The Knicks essentially have two decisions to make in free agency. One feels like a no-brainer, but the other is up in the air.
The easy choice is bringing back Josh Hart. He has a $13 million player option for next season, per Spotrac, but he'll decline that and know he'll beat it on the open market. New York, which knew free agency likely awaited him when it acquired him, should be prepared to pay what it takes to keep the 28-year-old.
While Hart isn't a great outside shooter by quantity or quality, he has just about everything else the Knicks could want in a wing. His energy level is consistently high and always contagious. He can cycle through a number of different defensive assignments. He can fill offensive cracks as anything from a ball-mover and slasher to a transition attacker and, when he has it rolling, a corner-three shooter.
Derrick Rose has a $15.6 million team option for next season, and since he wasn't even a rotation player, you might think the Knicks will automatically decline it. But it's always helpful to have expendable, mid-sized salaries to help make the money work in a major trade.
If New York envisions needing that salary slot in a blockbuster deal, it could pick up his option.
Predictions
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While the Knicks could trade into the draft, that doesn't seem super-likely.
They're having a hard enough time finding minutes for the young players they have, and the draft prospects they've worked out are mostly players who will likely wind up as undrafted free agents.
So, don't look for a major shakeup at the draft. And don't expect one in free agency, either. Hart will be back on a new deal. Rose's team option is a coin flip that likely hinges on the club's assessment of its chances to do a megadeal. Since there are enough big names on or near the trade market, our crystal ball sees the 'Bockers pick up Rose's option with the intention of shipping him out sooner than later.
Miles McBride, 22, has a bargain team option for next season. Even though he has offensive limitations so severe they could prevent him from ever finding a full-time role, he's young and cheap enough now to make a minor investment in him. If nothing else, he'll be an energizing defender who can handle spot minutes when called upon.
The real question this summer is whether the Knicks will sniff out their coveted star. That ultimately depends on the market.
New York shouldn't break open its piggy bank to broker a deal for someone like Karl-Anthony Towns or Zach LaVine. But if Zion Williamson, Jaylen Brown or Paul George is suddenly up for grabs, the Knicks should be ready to go all-in.
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