Building Depth and Pursuing a Championship: The New York Knicks Offseason Strategy
The 2024-25 season for the New York Knicks was a rollercoaster ride, filled with highs and lows. The team's bold move of acquiring OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns in less than a year paid off in the regular season as the Knicks finished third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 51-31. However, the lack of depth in the bench ultimately proved to be their Achilles' heel in the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers, who wore down the stretched-out Knicks in six games. The Knicks' best players, led by point guard Jalen Brunson, were in place and dangerous when applied accurately. However, the team's reliance on their starters, particularly under the guidance of head coach Tom Thibodeau, who played all of his starters more than 35 minutes per game in the regular season and didn't scale down those minutes in the playoffs, left them vulnerable to fatigue and ultimately a loss. As the Knicks head into the offseason, they have their collective talent level in order. What they need now is a heightened focus on the bench and to identify role players who can help the starters get more rest and perhaps elevate them to a higher level in pursuit of a championship. Looking ahead to next season, the Knicks have a projected salary of $194,354,847 and a draft pick at No. 50. While it's difficult to find someone to crack the rotation at this pick, targeting the best defender left on the board could be a smart move, as that player stands a reasonable chance of endearing himself to Thibodeau and potentially earning minutes. Due to New York's expensive roster, they don't have a lot of leeway financially and could use the tax MLE, but that would hard-cap them, possibly preventing the Knicks from making additional moves. The team's needs and goals are clear: to build on this season's success and add some quality depth to their roster. If they succeed in doing so, they could be a powerhouse next season and make a run at a championship.
