Knicks’ Path to Glory: Summer Strategies for the 2024-25 Season

Even though the Knicks’ season didn’t finish as expected, it was still a success overall, preparing them for a crucial offseason that could position them to contend for a championship in the 2024-25 season.
Here are three main tasks for the front office to address this summer…

This summer, a few contracts in New York are coming to an end. OG Anunoby is expected to turn down his player option for the upcoming season to secure a long-term contract, while Isaiah Hartenstein becomes a free agent on a fair agreement.

The Knicks’ main objective is to keep both starters following their highly effective seasons. They would not have exchanged for Anunoby unless they were expecting to finalize a new agreement, so anticipate a quick conclusion, probably at around $120 million over four years.

Hartenstein is the main uncertainty – not because the Knicks might not desire him, but because they might not be able to meet his salary demands. They lack complete bird rights and can only offer him a slight salary increase for re-signing, whereas other teams can offer him over $20 million annually.

It will be up to Hartenstein to decide between choosing more money or staying in the NBA home he has found in New York. One possible solution for the Knicks is to offer him a one-year contract with a promise of a bigger extension in the future.
Unless, of course, they choose to utilize him for…

Exchange for a player ranked in the top 20

Championship opportunities are shrinking and becoming more short-lived than ever before. At a certain stage, the benefits of acquiring draft assets and dependable players start to decrease. And even though these Knicks are already good, trading their assets for a top star could elevate them to being a legitimate title contender.

They could potentially do it with or without Randle, but his salary is ideal for matching – and the partnership with a new star might not be smooth if it’s not the perfect match. Whether wise or not, the Knicks front office has been working towards this objective from the start, so anticipate their aggressive pursuit of players like Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Other options are also available.

If none of these players are able to be acquired, the Knicks should still focus on improving their team with their many draft selections. Combining Bojan Bogdanovic with selections could result in acquiring a player like Kyle Kuzma or Bruce Brown, who are not superstars but would greatly enhance the team’s lineup.

Knicks potential 2025 roster

PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: OG Anunoby
PF: Julius Randle
C: Isaiah Hartenstein

6: Deuce Mcbride
7: Donte Divincenzo
8: Josh Hart
9: Bojan Bogdanovic

How far is this team going? pic.twitter.com/qPuzdApkB6

— 💙🌟𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚_𝙏𝙑𝘾🌟🧡 (@Turtle_TVC) April 5, 2024