For the first time in decades, the New York Knicks advanced to the second round in back-to-back seasons. The absurd amount of injuries the team faced during their playoff run eventually proved to be too much. They lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in seven games.
They will now prepare for an important offseason trying to take that next step. This is a franchise that hasn’t won it all since 1973. Here are some of the key free agents they will need to decide on in the offseason. The age listed is how old they will be when next season begins.
Who Are The Knicks Key Free Agents This Offseason?
OG Anunoby (Age: 27)
Turning 27 on July 17, OG Anunoby actually has a player option for next season worth $18 million. Nobody is expecting him to pick that up though The 6-7 forward fit seamlessly with the Knicks after they acquired him from the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 14.1 points in his 27 regular season games with the team and played the lockdown defense that he was known for.
As often has been the case in his career though, injuries kept him off the court far too frequently. Anunoby missed 27 games with an elbow ailment. He then missed Games 3-6 of the Indiana series with a hamstring injury. Anunoby tried to play Game 7, but he only played five minutes as he clearly wasn’t healthy.
Isaiah Hartenstein (Age: 26)
Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to see a large raise from the two-year, $16 million deal he signed with New York in the 2022 offseason. With center Mitchell Robinson missing ample time with an ankle injury, Hartenstein thrived after entering the starting lineup. He was one of the better offensive rebounders in the league and tied a Knicks playoff record with 12 in their Game 5 meeting with the Pacers. The 7-0” center would seem to be an important player for the Knicks to bring back, especially with Robinson’s injury history.
Precious Achiuwa (Age: 25 – Restricted)
Largely seen as a throw-in with Anunoby in the Raptors deal, Precious Achiuwa played a larger role than many expected. The fourth-year pro started 18 games for the Knicks in the regular season and two in the playoffs. In his 49 regular season games with New York, Achiuwa posted averages of 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. As a restricted free agent, the Knicks will have the chance to match any offer sheet Achiuwa may receive.
Alec Burks (Age: 33)
In his 13th NBA season, Alec Burks was a huge disappointment for the Knicks after they acquired him from the Detroit Pistons. He didn’t see the floor in seven of New York’s last 12 regular season games nor in their first seven playoff games. Due to numerous injuries, Burks finally began getting playing time against Indiana and capitalized. In Games 3-7 of that series, he averaged 18.8 points on 51.0% shooting (42.9% from three-point territory).
Jericho Sims (Age: 25 – Team Option)
Jericho Sims is included here since he made 11 starts for the Knicks this season and 16 last season. He has a partially guaranteed club option for next season that will be fully guaranteed at a little over $2 million if he remains on the roster through August 16 according to Spotrac. Selected in the second round by New York in the 2021 NBA Draft, Sims has a ton of leaping ability. He hasn’t shown all that much development though in his three seasons, but the Knicks may decide to bring him back for depth purposes.
