Disappointing Playoff End May Have Knicks Looking For Roster Flexibility

Forbes

02-06-2025

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 10: Precious Achiuwa #5, Karl-Anthony Towns #32, Jalen Brunson #11 and ... More Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks react on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2025 in New York City. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the New York Knicks 126-101. 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)
The New York Knicks went all-in on an NBA title push this past offseason with separate trades for power forward Karl-Anthony Towns and small forward Mikal Bridges. The end result did produce a postseason finish better than a season ago, but it also collected a second consecutive postseason series defeat to the Indiana Pacers this time coming in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Now with an offseason of cap constraints and roster questions ahead, decisions loom on where the Knicks should go this offseason in pursuit of its first NBA title this century.
For starters, New York has two unprotected first-round picks in 2026 and 2028 that can be valuable pieces in a potential upgrade via trade. It'll likely have to be attached to an asset on its roster making substantial bank which points to a player like Karl-Anthony Towns.
Escaping Future Cap Hell Through A Towns' Trade
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts after a dunk ... More in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2024 in New York City. 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)
Towns showed flashes throughout the playoffs of his scoring upside, but both he and franchise cornerstone Jalen Brunson couldn't put together a positive postseason net rating when on the floor together for New York. The team had its highest net rating with KAT on the floor and Brunson off, and its lowest defensive net rating with both stars present on the court.
Over the next two years, Towns has salary numbers into the $50 millions which will constrict free agency movements the Knicks could potentially make as a potential second apron team. Their best chance of any type of flexibility is to move off of him now when his stock is somewhat high to an organization looking to eat cap space.
A likely trade partner could be the Charlotte Hornets in a deal centered around power forward Miles Bridges and the upcoming expiring contract of center Jusuf Nurkic. Such a deal would allow New York to move off of Nurkic at the end of next season while potentially dealing Bridges at the same time too if he generates value with a solid Knicks season.
Shop Josh Hard and Mitchell Robinson For Additional Frontcourt Depth
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 23: Josh Hart #3 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks ... More celebrate as the game ends against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 23, 2023 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-93. 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)
Another move New York could make is trading the contracts of guard Josh Hart and center Mitchell Robinson for a younger big man and a potential depth piece at power forward.
Hart is revered by many as the heart and soul of the Knicks due to his hustle and grit as a rebounder and perimeter defender. The downside of his presence comes in the postseason where his shooting woes from deep become too magnificent to overcome.
In this year's conference semifinals for the Knicks, Hart shot a woeful 2 for 11 from three-point range through six games and finished the series as a -59 on the floor. With the team now rostering wings in Bridges and O.G. Anunoby that features higher floors as spot-up shooters and defenders, Hart's presence may no longer be needed.
Robinson's rebounding was a huge factor for the Knicks against Indiana, but his long-term health concerns may be too big to overcome. He's played a combined 48 games the past two seasons and just averaged around 21 minutes in the 18 postseason matchups played to manage his conditioning and potential injury concerns.
Both Hart and Robinson have moveable contracts that could be dealt to a team like the Utah Jazz for the rights of Center Walker Kessler and power forward John Collins. Kessler and Collins give the Knicks an infusion of youth and depth to its frontcourt alongside potential flexibility for its present and future if they decide to move off of Karl-Anthony Towns.