New York Knicks, Quentin Grimes (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Knicks approach to the draft
The Knicks came into the draft with 4 picks; 19th, 21st, 32nd and 58th. The likelihood of them finding an impact player in those spots was minimal. Since trading up was not a viable option, they did the next best thing, they traded back for more picks while still acquiring players they liked.
They finished the night selecting 4 players and a future 1st round and 2nd round pick. They added 2 young players that can play right away and a 3rd draft-and-stash player. Rokas Jokubaitis is a young and upcoming player who will play for one of the best teams in Europe, Barcelona. His value can increase dramatically next year if he plays well. The Knicks can end up having a player develop for them without using a roster spot.
The players the Knicks selected are not coming in with much fanfare, but neither did Joe Harris, Goran Dragic, and Malcolm Brogdon, 3 very good players that were also selected in the 2nd round. If the Knicks just hit on 1 of those 3 picks: Grimes, Jokubaitis, or McBride, then this draft will be considered a huge success.
NY ultimately accomplished their goals in the draft, they added young talent that fits their culture and fills a need while acquiring more draft capital they can use for future trades. So while the Knicks weren’t able to land their top choices, they improved the team and increased their treasure trove of assets. Now on to free agency.
Knicks offseason is that it has been underwhelming. The Kemba Walker signing is viewed as a nice surprise, but not one that elevates the team to contender status. Even some pro-Knick media outlets and fellow content creators rated the Knicks’ offseason as a <strong>6</strong> out <strong>10</strong>.</p>
<p>Well, I am here to tell you that is way off. Let me explain why.</p>
<p>First things first, people need to level-set expectations. There were no moves that the Knicks could have made to acquire a star(s). This free agency class did not have any true superstars. Kawhi Leonard is a free agent, but he will miss next season with a torn ACL and isn’t expected to change teams, just renegotiate his deal.</p>
<p>As for trades, the two stars that have been talked about switching teams, Damian Lillard and <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/02/22/knicks-3-biggest-competitors-bradley-beal/">Bradley Beal haven’t requested a trade</a> and their franchises don’t want to trade them. Even if there was a star made available for trade the Knicks didn’t have the assets to make a deal. The highest pick New York possessed was their own, 19th overall, which is not getting you a star.</p>
<p>So the real objective of the offseason was to improve the team for next season without sacrificing the future. The Knicks accomplished that by making nice under-the-radar moves. Just because a move isn’t splashy doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Let’s start by reviewing the draft.</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/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Knicks Draft </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-120282" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1297292437.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1297292437.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1297292437-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">New York Knicks, Quentin Grimes (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The Knicks approach to the draft</h2>
<p>The Knicks came into the draft with 4 picks; 19th, 21st, 32nd and 58th. The likelihood of them finding an impact player in those spots was minimal. Since trading up was not a viable option, they did the next best thing, they traded back for more picks while still acquiring players they liked.</p>
<p>They finished the night selecting 4 players and a future 1st round and 2nd round pick. They added 2 young players that can play right away and a 3rd draft-and-stash player. <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/30/new-york-knicks-rokas-jokubaitis-nba-draft/">Rokas Jokubaitis</a> is a young and upcoming player who will play for one of the best teams in Europe, Barcelona. His value can increase dramatically next year if he plays well. The Knicks can end up having a player develop for them without using a roster spot.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The fact the Knicks got Rokas Jokubaitis is mind boggling awesome. Love that kid!!! Scouting. Elite!</p>
<p>— David Zenon (@DaveZenon) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://twitter.com/DaveZenon/status/1420956727432917001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 30, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>The players the Knicks selected are not coming in with much fanfare, but neither did Joe Harris, Goran Dragic, and Malcolm Brogdon, 3 very good players that were also selected in the 2nd round. If the Knicks just hit on 1 of those 3 picks: <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/07/29/new-york-knicks-quentin-grimes-nba-draft/">Grimes, Jokubaitis, or <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/01/new-york-knicks-miles-mcbride-steal-nba-draft/">McBride, then this draft will be considered a huge success.</p>
<p>NY ultimately accomplished their goals in the draft, they added young talent that fits their culture and fills a need while acquiring more draft capital they can use for future trades. So while the Knicks weren’t able to land their top choices, they improved the team and increased their treasure trove of assets. Now on to free agency.</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/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2021 Free Agent Signings </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-120668 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1320596387.jpeg" alt="Knicks" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320596387.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320596387-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Kemba Walker, Knicks. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Navigating The Knicks free agency</h2>
<p>As discussed, there weren’t any ‘whales’ available in free agency. That made this a tricky summer as the team looked to build on last season’s success and keep up with the rest of the Eastern Conference which got better</p>
<p>A lot has been made of the high-profile signings of the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls along and the Lakers trade for Russell Westbrook. But what needs to be kept in mind is that those teams sacrificed the future in order to make win-now moves. The Knicks are not at the stage in the team-building process to do that.</p>
<p>Also, in free agency, some of the best moves you make are the ones you don’t. Most of the deals signed by other teams will not age well and several will most likely end up in a buyout or with the stamping of assets in order to dump them. That is why when you <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://theknickoftimeshow.com/knicks-free-agents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">review all the major free agent signings</a>, you have to feel good about the ones the Knicks made. Before we discuss New York’s signings let see what their competition in the East did.</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/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Comparing New York & Miami Offseason Moves </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-119916 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1192,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1297128267.jpeg" alt="NY Knicks" width="1600" height="1192" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1297128267.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1297128267-768x572.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Kyle Lowry, Knicks. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Knicks: Looking at The Miami Heat’s signings</h2>
<p>The Miami Heat had a strange offseason, they had no picks in the draft as they were traded away in prior win-now moves. Then they signed a <strong>36-year-old</strong> Kyle Lowry to a 3-year/$90M, resigned Duncan Robinson for 5-years/$90M, and also gave a <strong>32-year-old</strong> <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://www.spotrac.com/nba/miami-heat/jimmy-butler-8081/">Jimmy Butler a contract extension, 4-years/$184M</a>.</p>
<p>While it seems like really far into the future, in the summer of 2023 the Heat will have a <strong>38-year-old</strong> Lowry making $30M, a <strong>34-year-old</strong> Jimmy Butler making $43.8M, and a <b>30-year-old</b> Robinson making $18M. To make matters worse, Jimmy Butler will be making $50.3M in the 2025-26 season at age <strong>36</strong>.</p>
<p>Robinson is a nice player, but he is just a specialist, and he is not that young, he is 27 years old and will be<strong> 32</strong> at the end of that contract. The Knicks, in turn, signed Alec Burk who is a couple of years older, but a more dynamic player that also shoots over 40% from 3, but to a less expensive deal. <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-knicks/alec-burks-8063/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Burks only cost the Knicks 2-years/$20M</a>, which is $6M less per season, with a club option from a 3rd season.</p>
<p>What’s apparent is that Pat Riley knows this is his last dance and is going all-in with no concern for the future, that is going to be someone else’s problem. It’s no surprise now that several rising stars in the Heat organization decided to leave.</p>
<p>This bolds well for the Knicks, as the Heat have been the preferred destination franchise in the East. Miami is now locked into their roster of bad contracts that will make it easier for New York to usurp them as the most desirable franchise to play for in the East. Next summer the Knicks can pitch stars on a team led by Julius Randle, 26 years old, and RJ Barrett, who will be 22 years old instead of two overpaid stars that are exiting their primes.</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/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Comparing New York & Chicago Offseason Moves </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-120574" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1317045587.jpeg" alt="NY Knicks, " width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1317045587.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1317045587-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NY Knicks, DeMar DeRozan (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Knicks: Looking at the Chicago Bulls signings</h2>
<p>Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas went all in this offseason. They only had a 2nd round pick in this year’s draft which they used to select Ayo Dosunmu, 38th overall. The Bulls instead focused on free agency by executing two sign-and-trade deals to acquire Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan. He not only doled out large contracts but traded serviceable veteran players and draft picks: <strong>one</strong> 1st round pick and <strong>three</strong> 2nd round picks to secure both players.</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>Chicago took a gamble and overpaid Lonzo Ball with the hopes he finally becomes the point guard he hasn’t been able to be in 4 seasons. The Bulls signed Ball for 4-years/$85M fully guaranteed, that is a lot for a player that only averages 1.2 free attempts a game.</p>
<p>DeMar DeRozan’s deal is larger, 3-years/$85M, that is $28M per season fully guaranteed. He will be 34 years old and making $30M in the final year of that contract. That is a lot to pay for a wing that can’t shoot from 3, handle the ball, and is not a great defender.</p>
<p>The Bulls have gone all-in in the hopes that their moves will convince Zach LaVine to resign. In the process, they have no more cap flexibility unless they trade one of their promising young players, Coby White or Patrick Williams. They also have no draft capital, when you consider they also traded <strong>two</strong> 1st round picks for <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html" ref="nofollow">Nikola Vucevic</a>, a stretch center that is a liability on defense. There is a good chance that the Bulls regret these moves in a year and will be stuck with undesirable contracts and no draft picks to trade.</p>
<p>Now compare the Bulls’ moves with the Knicks. New York signed two proven veteran point guards for the same price per season combined that the Bulls are paying Lonzo Ball to prove he can run the point. The Knicks also signed a scoring wing in Fournier, but who has a more desirable skillset; outside shooting and play-making ability. He is also 3 years younger than DeRozan, and cost the Knicks $28M less, as only 3-years/$57.1M is guaranteed on Fournier’s contract. The Knicks were able to get better without sacrificing cap flexibility.</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/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Knicks Offseason Grades </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-115280" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1302524055.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1302524055.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1302524055-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">New York Knicks, Leon Rose (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>New York Knicks: Offseason grades</h2>
<p>When you review the Knicks’ offseason, you have to grade it an “A” compared to their rivals Chicago and Miami. In terms of expectations, you have to give them an 8 out of 10. It will take time to know if the draft strategy was correct, but free agency was a definite win.</p>
<p>The Knicks were the only team that included a club option on all their deals, thus making them more tradable if necessary. Even the Nerlens noel deal, essentially 2-years/$21M is not unreasonable.</p>
<p>They also paid less for quality free agents than their rivals in the East and some of the teams out West. Dallas paid more for Tim Hardaway Jr,, 4-years/$74M, and Reggie Bullock, 3-years/$30M, than the Knicks did for Fournier and Burks. They also paid less for veteran point guard play than Utah, which gave Mike Conley Jr., 3-years/$72.5M, which is $24.5M per season fully guaranteed. The Knicks on the other hand got two good veteran point guards(<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-knicks/derrick-rose-6095/">Derrick Rose</a> & <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://www.spotrac.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/kemba-walker-8059/">Kemba Walker</a>) which are younger and combined cost the team less money and years.</p>
<p>The Knicks improved the team incrementally, but are still considered a 4 or 5 seed in the East at best. However, they set themselves up nicely to take a giant step forward starting next season.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="2 weaknesses that Evan Fournier fixes" data-url="https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/03/ny-knicks-2-weaknesses-evan-fournier/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/06/knicks-2021-offseason-review/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/03/ny-knicks-2-weaknesses-evan-fournier/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 2 weaknesses that Evan Fournier fixes </a> </div>
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