NEW YORK — This was Phil Jackson in his 2015 message to Knicks season ticket holders:
“We have made key roster moves to free up significant cap space that will provide us greater flexibility to acquire talent in this summer’s free agency. And for the first time in many years, we expect to have a top pick in the NBA Draft.”
This was Steve Mills in his 2019 letter to season ticket holders:
“We now have seven first round picks over the next five years, and we remain committed to adding young talent to a team that is currently one of the two youngest in the NBA. In addition, we have created a tremendous amount of financial flexibility.”
This was Leon Rose in his 2020 letter to season ticket holders:
“Our team has young talent, significant future assets (including seven first round picks over the next four years) and an ample amount of financial flexibility.”
This was Rose in his 2022 letter to season ticket holders:
“We possess 13 draft picks in the next three years (four in the first round and nine in the second), providing us with a variety of ways to add to our young core. We have worked hard to maintain financial flexibility, which is a key factor to developing success in this league.”
You get the point. Assets sound great but they’re just a means to sell hope and season tickets if not utilized properly. In his latest missive, Rose probably oversold his financial flexibility (the Knicks have no cap space) but that’s not a big deal (more on that later).
So with a disappointing season in the rearview, we’ll tackle the five most important questions of yet another significant summer for the Knicks. It’s an opportunity to reshape the roster so that the word “playoffs” can be included in Rose’s next letter.
1. Can the Knicks (or should they) sign Jalen Brunson?
The Knicks’ connection to Brunson is well documented and not worth repeating, but the interest is real. Brunson, 25, a second-round pick, is in line for a massive payday and helped his cause with a 41-point explosion in Dallas’ victory over the Jazz in Game 2. We’re talking four years, $80-plus million. The Knicks have no cap space so would need help via the Mavericks with a sign-and-trade. There will be competition: the Mavericks have stated their desire to re-sign Brunson (although doing so would send Mark Cuban deep into the luxury tax), while the Pistons and Pacers, two teams with projected cap space, are also rumored to pursue. Either way, the Knicks should fill their point-guard void.
2. What about Donovan Mitchell and the trade market?
Back to those letters to season ticket holders: we’ve heard for a long time about asset accumulation and financial flexibility, which are unstated tools toward a major trade. The Knicks, it’s no secret, have been waiting for the next disgruntled superstar to force his way to MSG, with dreams of Rose and World Wide Wes using their connections to entice some former CAA client. For much of the season, the hot name has been Mitchell, an All-Star with ties to New York and a rumored wandering eye. It’s a longshot considering Mitchell’s under contract until 2026, but there’s a ton of smoke surrounding the guard’s unhappiness in Utah. If not Mitchell, though, what about Bradley Beal in a sign-and-trade?