3 Key Moves the Knicks Should Make This Offseason

With the Knicks season over, it's now time to reflect on ways to improve their roster as they head into the offseason.

Despite the disappointing finish, this season was far from a failure for New York, who finished 50-30 and made their deepest playoff run in over a decade.

As the Knicks look ahead to next year, they need to build on success to become true contenders. Here are three moves they need to make to stay on the right track.

1. Re-Sign Tom Thibodeau

May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau coaches against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Re-signing head coach Tom Thibodeau should be the Knicks first priority this offseason.

He just led the Knicks to their first 50-win season since the 2012-13 campaign, and he did it with a roster that was completely ravaged by injuries.

Even better, New York was able to make it to the No. 2 seed in the eastern Conference.

This guy just never gets enough credit. It feels like it's been awhile since the Knicks were this good of a basketball team, and that is about more than just the roster they've put together. New York wouldn't have accomplished nearly as much as they did this season without Thibodeau behind the bench. With that being said, Thibodeau deserves a big contract extension after everything he has done to make this basketball team a real contender again.

2. Re-Sign OG Anunoby

May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) runs up the court after making a three point shot against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Despite being heavily impacted by his injuries, the Knicks still need to try re-signing OG Anunoby.

Anunoby proved to be a real difference-maker immediately following his arrival from the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in 23 games in New York. And that stat-line does not capture his biggest value to the team, which is his elite and versatile defense.

Anunoby is expected to decline his player option and become a free agent, potentially making him the most expensive free on the Knicks' radar. There is expected to be a bidding war to happen once free agency begins. It won't be a easy task for the Knicks to bring Anunoby back, but it's an important one.

3. Re-Sign Isaiah Hartenstein

May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) reacts during the third quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

If there's another key player that the Knicks must try to bring back, it's Isaiah Hartenstein.

He did a terrific job stepping up after being thrust into the starting lineup. He showed a level to his game we hadn't seen when he moved into a starting role with Mitchell Robinson injured.

This season he averaged 8.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game across his 49 starts.

Similar to OG Aunnoby's situation, Hartenstein's price tag will be difficult for New York to manage. The Knicks don't have his full bird rights and can only re-sign him to a short-term extension, so they'll need to rely on selling Hartenstein on the bright future of the franchise to keep him in New York.

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