{"id":35418,"date":"2020-12-01T08:00:41","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=35418"},"modified":"2020-11-30T20:36:24","modified_gmt":"2020-12-01T01:36:24","slug":"new-york-knicks-offseason-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/12\/01\/new-york-knicks-offseason-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Knicks Offseason Grades"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Knicks<\/a> have struggled for a long time. Last year was no different. With much of the offseason complete for the New York Knicks, let’s have a look at how that offseason played out.<\/p>\n

New York Knicks Offseason Grades<\/strong><\/h2>\n

NBA Draft<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Obi Toppin- Power Forward, University of Dayton, 8th overall<\/strong><\/h4>\n

New York Knicks president Leon Rose had his eyes set on Obi Toppin<\/strong><\/a> from the beginning. Considered a top 5 talent heading into this draft, he will be thrilled that Toppin dropped to 8.<\/p>\n

Obi Toppin was National Player of the Year after a huge offensive season for Dayton. Armed with elite leaping ability, his craft around the basket and thunderous dunks drew a lot of early comparisons to Amar\u2019e Stoudemire<\/strong><\/a>. Furthermore, he handles the ball well and shoots well from range.<\/p>\n

Toppin’s downside is his defense. He\u2019s considered an average rebounder, but with a defensive-minded head coach in Tom Thibodeau, this should be improved upon. Toppin is a potential rookie of the year candidate.<\/p>\n

Immanuel Quickley- Point Guard, University of Kentucky, 25th overall<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Immanuel Quickley<\/strong><\/a> was a surprise pick, he played at Kentucky where new Knicks assistant Kenny Payne came from. He won SEC Player of the Year and is known as a really good perimeter scorer. This is a massive need for the Knicks as they were very light in shooters on the roster. Quickley is also considered a hard-worker by his coaches.<\/p>\n

However, he is an undersized guard and while he plays the point guard position, he isn\u2019t seen as a primary ball-handler. Some saw this as a surprise pick, as some scouts had a 2nd round grade on him.<\/p>\n

It appears the New York Knicks draft experts leaned on their knowledge of Kentucky with this selection. This could be an under-rated pick due to his shooting.<\/p>\n

Draft Grade: B+<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Free Agency<\/strong><\/h3>\n

President Leon Rose had upwards of $40 million to spend heading into this offseason. However, once the New York Knicks top targets Gordon Hayward<\/a><\/strong>, who signed a 4 year $120 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets<\/a>, and Fred VanVleet<\/a><\/strong> re-upped with the Toronto Raptors<\/a>, the Knicks brass opted for prudence.<\/p>\n

Therefore, Alec Burks<\/a><\/strong> (1 year $6million), Austin Rivers<\/a><\/strong> (3-year $10 million, 1 year guaranteed), Elfrid Payton<\/a><\/strong> (1 year $5 million), and Nerlens Noel<\/a><\/strong> (1 year, $5 million) were acquired.<\/p>\n

Burks is a good 3-point shooter, averaging 15 points per game for the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers last year. This could be a nice under-the-radar pickup. Austin Rivers\u00a0was consistent coming off the bench for the Houston Rockets providing quality minutes behind James Harden<\/a><\/strong>. Nerlens Noel<\/a><\/strong> should be a solid back-up center for Mitchell Robinson<\/a><\/strong> defensively.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the shrewdest deal was renting out $5 million in cap space for Ed Davis<\/a><\/strong>\u2019 contract in a trade with Utah, then immediately moving it for future 2nd<\/sup> round picks in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Renting cap space for assets is wise during a rebuild.<\/p>\n

Free Agency Grade: C\u2013<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Overall<\/h3>\n

It’s fair to conclude the New York Knicks were uninspiring, yet prudent in free agency. Following a nice draft, they showed a more tempered approach after failing to sign their top targets in free agency.<\/p>\n

It remains to be seen whether this restraint will pay dividends down the line, considering the previous regime adopted a similar free agent strategy last year. To acquire talent you need to have talent, and this was not sufficiently addressed this offseason, particularly at point guard.<\/p>\n

They still have cap flexibility, however, and it would be wise to consider potentially moving Julius Randle<\/a><\/strong> as a trade piece. Randle is a nice player, but because he plays in Toppin’s position, and Toppin excels in pick and roll situations, a quality point guard can enhance his progress. Toppin’s progress is imperative for this coming season.<\/p>\n

To conclude, the Knicks are once again hoping patience is a virtue in their rebuild following a tempered approach to their offseason.<\/p>\n

Overall Offseason Grade: C<\/h4>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>