Projecting Landing Spots for Knicks' Top Free Agents
The New York Knicks' upcoming playoff performance could go a long way toward determining their aggressiveness for potential offseason changes to their roster.
Should they deem a major move or two necessary, though, don't look for it to happen in free agency. There, the aim won't be adding significant talent but rather trying to prevent substantial subtractions.
The Knicks have several key contributors bound for—or at least capable of reaching—the open market, and the league could have strong interest in them. Will New York be able to fend off those suitors, or might some of these hoopers-for-hire seek out greener pastures elsewhere? We'll consult the always trusty crystal ball here to find out.
Precious Achiuwa (Restricted)
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It'd be a disservice to describe Precious Achiuwa as a throw-in to the late December deal that brought OG Anunoby to town. It's probably accurate, though, to detail Achiuwa's principal purpose in that exchange as making the money work.
The 24-year-old has mostly been a rotation regular across his first four NBA seasons, but he hasn't dropped a ton of hints at potentially rising above that role down the line. Saying that, though, it's worth noting that some of his best flashes to date came with the Blue and Orange.
Achiuwa's numbers are up since getting to Gotham, and that isn't solely due to the fact he was pressed into a larger role than anticipated to help cover up some injury issues along the front line. He upped his interior activity as an offensive rebounder, finisher and shot-blocker while proving his worth as an all-purpose defender.
Between his age, established ability and growth potential, the Knicks will have reasons to want him back. Then again, others will have those same incentives to pursue him, and they could really test New York's resolve by putting a healthy offer sheet in front of him. It's possible the Knicks wind up viewing him as the most cost-efficient option among their interior free agents, but if inks an early offer, New York might have to let him walk in order to keep the financial books as clean as possible for their other, higher-priority free agents.
Prediction: Achiuwa signs an offer sheet with the Utah Jazz that the Knicks don't match.
OG Anunoby (Player Option)
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OG Anunoby could technically sidestep free agency and simply pick up his $19.9 million player option for next season, per Spotrac. Even authors of Knicks' fan fiction would have trouble trying to spin that yarn, though.
A healthy version of Anunoby—which, admittedly, isn't always what you get—is clearly worth a metric ton more than that amount. He may not be a traditional star, but he is the kind of player who can star within his role. That's exactly how things have gone since his late December arrival, as his suffocating, versatile defense and steady shot-making have effectively rendered the 'Bockers unbeatable.
He has suited up 20 times for the Knicks, and they've won 17 of those contests. He has logged 700 minutes, which New York has won by a staggering 22.6 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com. He is, according to both the eye test and the stat sheet, the ultimate difference-maker for this team.
If he proves this postseason that his elbow issues are behind him, a massive payday will follow. And the Knicks, without a doubt, will be the ones signing those checks. When they acquired him earlier this season—at the expense of both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley—they effectively tipped their hands that they viewed Anunoby as a valuable player not just for this season, but many more to come.
Prediction: Anunoby declines his player option and signs a lengthy contract with the Knicks.
Isaiah Hartenstein (Unrestricted)
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Given their myriad injury issues, the Knicks' season could have rocketed off the rails at any time. The steady—and subtly spectacular—play of Isaiah Hartenstein is a big reason why it didn't.
He's the kind of player whose contributions don't always surface on the stat sheet. Not if you go sifting through the traditional categories at least. His counting numbers are fine—8.2 rebounds, 7.7 points, 2.4 assists and 2.3 combined steals and blocks—but they aren't the kind that make you think you're seeing a no-brainer building block.
You know what does put Hartenstein in that light, though? His massive net differential of plus-12.2 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com, a number that puts him third among New York's rotation regulars behind only Anunoby and All-Star guard Jalen Brunson.
Hartenstein has been ultra-reliable, which is a tough trait to overvalue given all of the injury problems New York has dealt with. That sets up an interesting debate for this front office, which almost assuredly wants to keep Hartenstein but must weigh the logic behind committing major money to him while Mitchell Robinson has two more years and another $27.3 million left on his deal, per Spotrac.
Prediction: Hartenstein re-signs with the Knicks, and trade rumblings around Robinson surface shortly thereafter.
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