The Knicks spent most of their offseason doing what good front offices do: keeping the books tidy and avoiding mistakes. Mohamed Diawara, Landry Shamet, and Jose Alvarado all came back on deals that look sensible now and should look sensible later. For the most part, fans have every reason to be comfortable with how the roster has been handled.
But one part of the summer could wind up looking shakier than the rest, and it happened on draft night.
President Leon Rose went down in the draft, continuing a pattern he has followed more than once. The belief is that the move was made to preserve enough cap flexibility to keep Shamet and Alvarado in the fold. That kind of logic makes sense in the moment, especially when the alternative is squeezing the roster and losing useful pieces elsewhere.
Still, the cost of that decision may show up quickly. By passing on a chance to add a young, controllable rookie big man, the Knicks left themselves thin at a spot that could have used a reset.
In a draft that was viewed as deep as well as strong at the top, a player like Tarris Reed Jr. was there for the taking. Even if it meant spending a little more, the Knicks also could have looked to move Tyler Kolek or Pacôme Dadiet in a salary dump to patch a more pressing need.
Instead, they may be headed into the season leaning on one of the veteran free agents still on the board or a training camp invitee who is still largely an unknown.
That doesn’t automatically make the draft-night approach a mistake. The Knicks might get by just fine, and there’s always the chance they find a useful answer before the trade deadline. But among the few moves they made this offseason, this is the one with the clearest chance to age poorly.
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Knicks Face A Costly Karl-Anthony Towns Decision Soon
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Towns is eligible for a massive extension, yet the front office may have to decide whether he fits into the long-term picture alongside the other key pieces already on the books. If a new deal does not come together, New York could be forced to explore a trade or let him reach free agency after next season, a possibility that would turn one of the teams biggest strengths into a looming headache. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Still Have One Frontcourt Problem Andre Drummond Doesn't Solve
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Robinson and Towns were used together only in spurts, but the pairing gave New York a useful blend of toughness and lineup flexibility when it worked. Drummond does not really solve the bigger issue hanging over the front line, which is finding another big who can share the floor with Towns without compromising the defense. If the Knicks want to keep their options open in bigger playoff matchups, they may still have work to do. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Still Have One Roster Concern Fans Should Be Watching
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Center depth remains the spot to watch, and New York is still looking at ways to shore it up without boxing itself in financially. The club is under the second tax apron by about $3.27 million, and that margin is shaping the way it approaches its last openings, including potential young big men, non-guaranteed options and two-way spots, while unsigned draft pick Tyler Nickel also remains a decision point as he weighs a rookie deal or another year in college. [Read more 🡒]