Resigning Free Agents

With Anunoby likely declining his player option, the Knicks are going to wield about 40 million below the tax before any moves. Since they traded for him, I assume they understand what it will take to resign Anunoby and are willing to pay the price. I believe he will command around 35 – 40 million for the first year, already draining most of their cap space. That leaves their other big resigning, Isaiah Hartenstein, in a tough position. Due to his short contract the Knicks only have early bird rights to resign him, leaving them vulnerable to another team potentially coming in and outbidding them. Luckily for the Knicks the center market for rotation to low/mid-level starter is very tight, making it very unlikely Hartenstein will command any more than 16 million in the first year. That leaves the Knicks slightly above the tax line, giving them a tough decision with their remaining unsigned players.

Precious Achiuwa was positioned at the end of the rotation most of the season, but due to injuries he was pressed into service and impressed with his playoff performance. Even though he is a restricted free agent, the Knicks aren’t in a great position. They are already over the tax line, with Robinson already on the roster and a high likelihood to resign Hartenstein another may price the Knicks out of matching an offer for a third center.

Bojan Bogdanovic has a 9 million non-guarantee on his 19-million-dollar contract. Unlike Achiuwa, the Knicks aren’t worried about not being able to afford to resign him if they let him go, the issue is his potential use as a walking salary exception for a potential trade. The Knicks have shown interest in making a run at a top 15 player in the league to help elevate them into contention in the East, however they don’t have any great assets to realistically trade. They can trade up to 8 first round picks at the start of the draft, however none of them look like they will become lottery picks and a few of them may not even convey in the first round due to pick exceptions. That leaves the Knicks needed to add as much value as possible to any superstar trade, and a 19 million dollar expiring contract for Bogdanovic is very tantalizing for a team looking to move off a superstar player and shed money. However, if they keep him and a trade doesn’t pan out, they’ll be on the hook for the full 19 million instead of getting off of him now and saving 9 million dollars.

Contract Extensions

Jalen Brunson is undoubtedly the most important player on this Knicks team, meaning any potential to keep him on the team long term should be a high priority. The upcoming extension for Brunson is one the Knicks should jump on as soon as possible this summer. However, for Brunson, he can resign for at most 4 new years and 156 million, but if he waits until next year, he can sign for something around 5 years and 270 million depending on the cap raises from the new TV deal. As the Knicks, if Brunson wants to mitigate risk and take the 4 new years for 156 million, you do it, even if he asks for a 3 + 1 instead of a straight 4-year deal, you do the deal without question.

In Conclusion

The Knick’s offseason is going to be a crucial period for the team as they strategize and make pivotal decisions for the upcoming season. In addition to the focal point of re-signing key players such as O.G. Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein, there are several other factors at play. The team will need to carefully consider the implications of re-signing Achiuwa, utilizing the $9 million non-guarantee on Bogdanovic’s contract, and getting ready to extend Brunson’s contract. These decisions carry significant weight and could impact the team’s overall direction, possibly even leading to the exploration of the trade market. The dynamic nature of the offseason demands a strategic and consistent approach from the Knick’s management to maintain a vision and direction for the team.