The team as a whole hasn’t been overhauled, but a few smart decisions and additions have a healthy Knicks squad primed and ready to compete for a genuine playoff spot in the 2022-23 season.
Obviously making good, solid moves in the offseason doesn’t always translate to success in the regular season, but at this point, it’s hard for Knicks fans to not have a positive outlook on the present and the future of this team.
Not everything was a win, but it’s safe to say this was a good offseason for the team representing The Big Apple, and today, we are going to take a look at five ways this offseason was a success, and why fans should be cautiously optimistic ahead of the 2022-23 season.
While landing a huge star like Mitchell would certainly help this team in the present, the fact that Leon Rose and Co. haven’t completely caved into Ainge’s demands is a sign of progress for this franchise. Ultimately, the team should be looking to acquire a 24 PPG career scorer, but if Danny Ainge isn’t willing to lower the price to something that’s comfortable for the Knicks front office, they should be confident in the team they’ve got heading into the 2022-23 season.
In recent years, New York likely would have already given up several young players and a historic haul for Mitchell, but it’s clear right now that the front office has a plan, and with the young core looking to build together, there’s no reason to give up all their future pieces if there’s no plan in place.
New York Knicks</a> came into the offseason with a chance to quickly retool this team, and for the most part, the front office has done a good job so far. Sure, they haven’t immediately made themselves a top contender in a seemingly crowded Eastern Conference, but with a talented young roster, Leon Rose has put this group in a position to succeed and grow together as a unit.</p>
<p>The team as a whole hasn’t been overhauled, but a few smart decisions and additions have a healthy Knicks squad primed and ready to compete for a genuine playoff spot in the 2022-23 season.</p>
<p>Obviously making good, solid moves in the offseason doesn’t always translate to success in the regular season, but at this point, it’s hard for Knicks fans to not have a positive outlook on the present and the future of this team.</p>
<p>Not everything was a win, but it’s safe to say this was a good offseason for the team representing The Big Apple, and today, we are going to take a look at five ways this offseason was a success, and why fans should be cautiously optimistic ahead of the 2022-23 season.</p>
<h2>5 reasons why the offseason has been a success for the New York Knicks</h2>
<h3>5. The Knicks didn’t cave to the Jazz’s demands</h3>
<p>All the talk in Knicks land over the past few weeks <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/08/13/5-biggest-positives-knicks-2022-offseason/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/08/08/predicting-knicks-donovan-mitchell-trade-happen/">has been the potential trade to bring Donovan Mitchell home to New York from the Utah Jazz</a>. Unfortunately for the Knicks fans that are eager to land ‘Spida’, the man now in charge of the Jazz is Danny Ainge, who just received a historic haul for Rudy Gobert. He has seemingly made it clear that he wants another, perhaps even <em>bigger</em> haul for No. 45.</p>
<p>While landing a huge star like Mitchell would certainly help this team in the present, the fact that Leon Rose and Co. haven’t completely caved into Ainge’s demands is a sign of progress for this franchise. Ultimately, the team should be looking to acquire a 24 PPG career scorer, but if Danny Ainge isn’t willing to lower the price to something that’s comfortable for the Knicks front office, they should be confident in the team they’ve got heading into the 2022-23 season.</p>
<p>In recent years, New York likely would have already given up several young players and a historic haul for Mitchell, but it’s clear right now that the front office has a plan, and with the young core looking to build together, there’s no reason to give up all their future pieces if there’s no plan in place.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/08/13/5-biggest-positives-knicks-2022-offseason/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Paving the way for the younger players </a>
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New York got exactly what it wanted from the Summer League squad</a>.</p>
<p>Grimes especially was a focus for the Knicks, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/08/13/5-biggest-positives-knicks-2022-offseason/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/26/quentin-grimes-big-minutes-knicks-2022-23/">as he’ll look to lock down the starting shooting guard spot</a> for opening night, and if he can continue to improve his playmaking, along with his potentially elite shooting and incredible defensive game, New York may have grabbed yet another steal with pick No. 25 in 2021, just a year after Immanuel Quickley was drafted in the same spot.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/08/13/5-biggest-positives-knicks-2022-offseason/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A solid lineup </a>
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have been searching for their point guard for seemingly decades now</a>, and although he isn’t proven yet, it’s not hard to see why fans of the team are excited about Jalen Brunson.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Although he’s never been an All-Star at the NBA level, Brunson has continued to improve year after year in the league, highlighted by averaging an impressive 20.4 points, 7.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/08/13/5-biggest-positives-knicks-2022-offseason/"https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=jalen+brunson+stats+without+luka+doncic+2021-22%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">without All-NBA player Luka Doncic</a> in the lineup in 2021-22.</p>
<p>Despite having Elfrid Payton running the team in 2020-21, New York managed a fourth seed in a tough Eastern Conference, but with Brunson at the helm going forward, he should help unlock the full potential of Mitchell Robinson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, but hopefully most of all, Julius Randle.</p>
<p>Brunson is an electric player, and even with his smaller stature, he’s confident running a team with his high IQ, energy, and playmaking that makes those around him much better. Many look at the payday as a huge overpay, but in the context of point guard pay in the NBA today, it turns out to be a great deal for a Knicks team desperate to fill the starting point guard spot.</p>
<p>If New York can find a solid starter in the son of former Knickerbocker Rick Brunson, this signing could ultimately turn out to be one of the best in franchise history, as his ability to unlock others will greatly help the team.</p>
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