Despite a heartbreaking end to their 2023-24 campaign, there was a lot for the New York Knicks and their fans to be proud of this past season. While they only had one legitimate star, they showed that they were the right mix of players for head coach Tom Thibodeau and they were an elite team based on grit, defense, and timely shooting in his system.
They may be one large or a few small pieces away from being a serious title contender next season. With that in mind, let’s look at 10 potential moves the Knicks could make this summer for a serious run at a championship in 2024-25.
Trade for NBA legend Kevin Durant
Is landing Kevin Durant likely? Probably not. But no elite scorer would be a better perfect fit than the future Hall-of-Famer. He is a player who can get his own buckets while also being a knockdown shooter off the pass and would force opposing defenses to play Jalen Brunson straight up. Furthermore, this season showed the 35-year-old is still playing at a high level and has evolved into a rock-solid defender later in his career.
The Suns are a mess and should consider it since the Knicks can offer much in return including All-Star Julius Randle. Durant would, without a doubt, be the missing piece for a serious title contender in 2024-25.
Make re-signing OG Anunoby a top priority
While this isn’t a new addition, re-signing OG Anunoby is hugely important for New York. If they want to run it back with this same group and hope just being healthy can get them to the Finals, they have to bring Anunoby back. With him in the lineup, they were one of the best teams in the league and you can easily point to his injury as why they lost in the semifinals to the Pacers after having a 2-0 lead.
He is a perfect fit for Thibodeau’s system and has room to get even better.
Paul George as the OG Anunoby backup plan
If Durant is an impossible move, and the Knicks somehow lose Anunoby in free agency, then Paul George being the backup plan makes a lot of sense. He has a defensive style that would fit right in with this team and would be a legit secondary scorer to Brunson. There are concerns about his age and injury history but he would be a big piece to add in the hunt for a championship.
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Make re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein another summer priority
Along with Anunoby, re-signing Isaiah Hartenstein should be a priority for New York. He elevated his game in a major way under Thibodeau. He proved he could be a starting center in the league and an impact player on defense. With Mitchell Robinson’s health constantly being an issue, bringing back Hartenstein is almost a necessity to help the team maintain their elite-level defense.
Trade up and draft USC point guard Isaiah Collier
Deuce McBride surprised many when he was able to help fill the scoring void of Immanuel Quickley’s absence after the Anunoby trade. He is a very nice 3-D player off the bench but the New York Knicks could really use a reliable backup floor general to give Brunson the rest he needs during the season. USC point guard Isaiah Collier could be an option.
The Knicks have the 24th and 25th picks in June’s draft and they would need to trade up to get the Trojans star but he plays like a classic point guard who sets teammates up, can score at the rim, and plays good defense.
Trade for veteran Hawks center Clint Capela
The center position in New York is a question mark heading into the Summer. Hartenstein could leave in free agency and it’s hard to trust Robinson to stay healthy. They may need to invest in a veteran center and Hawks big man Clint Capela could be available. He is still only 30 and is a double-double machine that can get a block and a half a game.
The team doesn’t need more than that and the fact he has never played less than 63 games (outside of his rookie season and the pandemic year) in 10 seasons is a big deal.
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Sign former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook
Until they were inundated with injuries late in the year, depth was a major strength for the Knicks. If they want to continue to use that strategy and keep most of the team they had this season, bolstering the bench could be a priority this summer and former league MVP Russell Westbrook could be an option.
He has proven he is fine with the idea of playing off the bench in the final years of his career and would open the door for Brunson to play far fewer minutes but maintain a high level of play when he is resting. Price could be the main hold-up in getting a deal done.
Draft instant-offense guard Carlton Carrington
Another option, if depth is a priority, would be Pittsburgh guard Carlton Carrington. The 6-foot-3 player could still be on the board when the Knicks are on the clock in June and is a talented scorer who is very much in the mold of players like Quickley or Lou Williams. If the organization wants McBride to focus on defense and being a better floor general, Carrington could be a fun addition as an instant offense player off the bench.
Sign Toronto Raptors great Kyle Lowry
While Kyle Lowry is nowhere near the player he once was, if Thibodeau needs a point guard he can trust to give his top player fewer minutes, the Raptors great would be a perfect affordable option. The six-time All-Star is in pursuit of fair pay and championships and would nicely fit in with this current hard-nosed defensive-minded Knicks team.
Draft Cameroonian prospect Ulrich Chomche
Going back to the idea of question marks at the five spot, one interesting prospect that could be on the board if the Knicks keep their picks late in Round 1 of the June draft is Cameroonian talent Ulrich Chomche. The 18-year-old is a total project but is a very good athlete with phenomenal defensive abilities.
This coaching staff has proven how good they are at talent development, Chomche is a perfect player for Thibodeau’s system and can be the anchor of this defense for the next decade.