Target Practice

Let's dive into the names we're likely to hear associated with the Knicks this summer.

Good morning! We’re continuing offseason week here at KFS. Today, in what I’m sure will be a refreshing surprise for a lot of readers, I’m going to go through several stars who AREN’T good fits for the Knicks. After that, we’ll dive deep on two names at the top of a lot of wish lists, and explore the potential complexities involved with acquiring either one.

Target Practice

Yesterday, I laid out why this summer is likely to be a pivotal one for the Knicks. It could be their last opportunity for while to make a significant alteration to their roster without the CBA tying one hand behind their back.

That’s the hard part. Now for some good news:

If they identify a player who they think will be an upgrade to the current roster, there’s no shortage of ways they can go about putting together a workable package for said player.

Part of the reason is obvious: New York has control of every one of their future first round picks, plus four extra selections. They have the 24th pick this season courtesy of the Mavs (plus their own selection at 25), and then another likely late first in a better draft next year via Milwaukee.

The other two incoming picks are surrounded by more uncertainty but both carry significant potential. Their pick from Detroit won’t convey next season if it falls in the lottery, but is only protected for selections 1-11 in 2026 and 1-9 in 2027. The Washington pick - top 10 protected in 2025 and top eight protected in 2026 before converting to two seconds - is a little less valuable, as the Wizards could very well be a bottom-four team for (at least) the next two seasons.

Even so, they have ammunition. More importantly, they have a lot of easily movable salary.