The New York Knicks are preparing for a crucial off-season, focusing on their center position. With various players either injury-prone or commanding big money contracts, the franchise is all set to strategize for a robust next season.
The Knicks’ Conundrum with Robinson
Mitchell Robinson, a homegrown Knicks player, has unfortunately proven to be injury-prone. Despite being an intimidating presence on the court with his offensive rebounding and shot-blocking skills, Robinson has grappled with injuries, affecting his overall performance.
He managed to play 60 games only once during the last four seasons due to frequent injuries. A repeat ankle injury in the past season resulted in two surgeries, leading him to miss the main chunk of the games. Though Robinson has two more years left on his contract worth $27.2 million, there exist uncertainties about his future with the team.
Hartenstein: A Deserving Candidate Demanding High Pay
Complicating the Knicks’ decision further is Isaiah Hartenstein, whose role as a budding starting center offers a significant advantage for the team. However, he is entering unrestricted free agency this summer and expecting a long-term contract, averaging over $20 million per year.
The Knicks are grappling with a challenging scenario as they are over the salary cap. The team can only re-sign Hartenstein to his Early Bird max, that is a 75 percent raise of his last season’s salary of $9.245 million. This situation leads to a potent offer of a $16.178 million Year 1 salary from the Knicks.
However, Hartenstein is capable of receiving a $25 million annual contract from teams with more cap space, making the task tougher for the Knicks.
Meanwhile, fellow player Precious Achiuwa from The Bronx is entering his first restricted free agency period. The Knicks have the right of first refusal, meaning they can match another team’s offer to keep Achiuwa in New York, if they wish.
Though retaining Achiuwa may not be a top priority for the Knicks, it could be a strategic move. Achiuwa and Anunoby, who were traded together from the Toronto Raptors, have had a strong two-man net rating since the trade.
Achiuwa displayed improved performances as the season progressed, showing his capability to play both the four and the five positions. Achiuwa’s availability for all but one regular season game following his trade to New York might be another aspect the Knicks consider when making their decision.
Trade Possibilities and the Road Ahead
In a bid to improve their roster significantly, the Knicks might opt for a big target available this off-season. To negotiate salaries and contracts, they are considering trade-offs between Robinson, Hartenstein, and Bojan Bogdanovic.
In addition, they’ll need to evaluate lucrative contract extensions or trade-offs with players such as Anunoby, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
While NBA giants like Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns seem unattainable, other players like Houston’s Alperen Sengun could be on the table. The Knicks have a lot of decisions to make – who to keep, who to trade, and who to pursue in free agency.
The Knicks will have to strike the right balance between business strategy and team strength to ensure a more profound run towards the playoffs next season. It’s a tricky set that needs careful planning, and the world waits to see what the Knicks will bring to the table.