No staff made extra noise than the Knicks this offseason.
They may have been content material to re-sign prime free agent OG Anunoby and principally run it again with the identical core that carried them to the Japanese Convention semifinals. They have been decimated by accidents because the playoffs wore on however nonetheless took the Pacers to the restrict of their collection.
New York did certainly lock up Anunoby, although the cost was a whopping $212.5MM for 5 years (together with a participant possibility). The Knicks misplaced one other key free agent Isaiah Hartenstein.
Across the similar time, they pulled off what appeared like the largest shocker of the offseason, agreeing to provide 5 future first-rounders, amongst different property, for Nets ahead Mikal Bridges.
Jalen Brunson quickly did the Knicks a favor by signing a $156.5MM extension, fairly than ready till subsequent offseason when he might have gotten a good larger payday.
As coaching camp approached, the largest query gave the impression to be whether or not Julius Randle would play extra at heart till Mitchell Robinson returned from left foot surgical procedure. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Knicks pulled off one other blockbuster, sending Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Cities. New York additionally surrendered one other first rounder and two second rounders as a part of the three-team deal.
Cities’ $220MM tremendous max extension kicks on this season, weighing down the Knicks long-term cap sheet. He’s undeniably one of the gifted and completed massive males within the league. Nonetheless, his profession has been marred by a wide range of accidents, so the Knicks are taking over an enormous gamble that he stays wholesome and productive within the postseason.
Total, New York’s beginning unit is formidable with Cities, Josh Hart, Anunoby, Bridges and Brunson. Their offense is far more versatile with the additions of Cities and Bridges, although their 3-point taking pictures might take successful with the lack of DiVincenzo.
There seems to be sufficient backcourt depth with the likes of Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet. Frontcourt depth has been depleted by the flurry of strikes and that could possibly be an ongoing concern.
That brings as much as right now’s subject: Do you suppose the Knicks’ offseason acquistions of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Cities can ship a championship to New York? Or will they fall wanting that purpose and finally remorse going all-in and mortgaging their future?
Please take to the feedback part to weigh on this subject. We sit up for your enter.
