Did the New York Knicks quietly have a good offseason?

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DID THE KNICKS QUIETLY HAVE A GOOD OFFSEASON?

The New York Knicks last season finished as the four seed with a record of 41-31, a surprise to some but not me. Establishing a great defensive culture and foundation behind Coach Thibs. Lead by their first time all star Julius Randle. Their great season came to an end early than fans expected in the first round  against the Atlanta Hawks losing in five games. That series specifically was my favorite of the entire postseason besides the Finals of course. Elite offense from the Hawks against elite defense from the Knicks. Yet in the loss their needs from a team perspective were exposed if they wanted to make postseason noise. The Knicks going into this offseason were projected with the most cap space with around $53.5M dollars.




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REPLACING BULLOCK WITH FOURNIER




The Knicks acquired Evan Fournier in free agency on a deal that includes a team option on the fourth year. Around $19M a year for a consistent good scorer seems just about right. Reggie Bullock was a great role player with his tenure on the Knicks, even being their best shooter last season shooting forty-one percent from three on six attempts per game. But even on his best day, he is not better than Evan Fournier and what Fournier can do for New York. Prior to the trade to the Boston Celtics, he was averaging 19.7 points per game shooting thirty-eight percent from three on seven attempts per contest. During the playoffs it was made well aware the Knicks needed another reliable scorer with Julius having some troubles in his first appearance. D Rose did all he could but now a load is off having Fournier. 





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GETTING KEMBA FOR NOTHING


The Knicks get themselves a very good point guard when healthy in Kemba Walker. He returns to Madison Square Garden on a 2yr/$17.8M dollar a year contract. Only around $8.7M a year for Kemba. Possibly one of the biggest low risk high reward opportunities as of late. Kemba could possibly be in one of the best situations on the Knicks. His role with New York should strictly be to score and playmake. On an already good defensive Knicks team he will be hidden much better on defense than previously. The only question for Kemba is if he can be healthy, we know he is good. These past few seasons Walker has dealt with some knee injuries, hindering his performance. I can't think of a better person to get advice from on recovering mentally and physically from knee injuries than Kemba's teammate, Derrick Rose. Despite all he's been through still being a good point guard. Kemba being a good player he has also always been an even better teammate. Playing alongside young RJ Barrett I see them playing off each other very well. With Julius still being able to be Julius as well.



BRINGING BACK JULIUS AND DROSE

Bringing back Drose and Julius Randle was obviously expected but was good for the Knicks and what they have built last season. Julius, just 26, had his best season of his career this season averaging 24 points per game, ten rebounds per game, and six assists per game. Shooting forty-five percent from the field and even forty percent from three on six attempts per game. Also securing his first all star appearance. Last year, the Knicks drafted Obi Toppin out of Dayton with the 8th overall pick. Toppin plays the same position as Julius. Yes typically players do naturally progress in their career, but I think the Knicks drafting someone at the same position as Julis gave him extra fuel to prove himself this season and to the team that he is the leader. Landing Julius a 4yr/$117M contract extension to be with the Knicks, which could elevate to $140M with incentives. Albeit he did struggle in his first postseason appearance only averaging 18 points per game and 11.6 boards a game on 30 percent from the field and 33 percent from the three shooting splits. It being his first appearance and his game in a playoff half court setting being predictable, it's ok to cut him some slack. Randle will learn from that Hawks series and improve. Bringing back a great vet and good backup PG in Drose is great for them too. Reuniting with Coach Thibs this past season and a great defensive culture allows Rose to really be himself. Rose and Taj Gibson has been an incredible mentor to the young core of the Knicks and has helped them excel and exceed expectations. Rose having much veteran experience was often regarded as their best player in the postseason doing all he can to get the job done. Rose, just 32, is far from done in his career and I am excited to see what is in store this stage of his career. 



PROJECTION FOR NEXT YEAR

New York fans can be excited once again to have their team very fun to watch every night again. Guys like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are only gonna get better as well just off experience. Bringing back the key guys helps big as well to continue the defensive foundation and culture that was built last year. The Knicks intended to run it back, only letting go Reggie Bullock pretty much, while also getting Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier. I think the Knicks again will be the four seed. Now, on paper, that is not getting better from last year but we have to consider obvious locks such as the Nets, Bucks, Sixers as obvious teams to be better. Teams like the Miami Heat could be better than the Knicks as well. The Hawks also obviously will be in the mix. Chicago is now. Once again in the East just like last season the difference between the four and seven seed will probably be a few games. It's great to see the East start to get very heated and respectable again. And as always basketball is always its best when Knicks basketball is back. 





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