The new NBA season is right around the corner. Teams around the league will be finishing their training camp preparations and gearing up for their preseason schedule. To help get ready for the 2024-25 NBA season, we’re looking at three questions each NBA team could face next season.
Today, we have the New York Knicks, who will look to build off of a deep 2023-24 playoff run.
How much will Isaiah Hartenstein be missed?
The Knicks were +10.4 points better when Hartenstein was on the court last season. The veteran big man played in 3,793 non-garbage-time possessions for Tom Thibodeau’s roster and made a strong impact. Unfortunately for the Knicks, Hartenstein joined the Oklahoma City Thunder at the start of free agency.
New York is yet to replace Hartenstein in their rotation, thus leaving a significant hole on the team’s bench. The Knicks have been linked with potential trades for multiple centers this summer, including Kevon Looney. Those rumors have yet to come to fruition.
Given Mitchell Robinson’s recent injury history, New York will undoubtedly be cautious about its center rotation to begin the season. As such, there will be additional pressure on Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa, who will both spend time at the five off the Knicks bench.
Will Julius Randle finish the season in New York?
Randle has two years remaining on his contract; however, he has a player option for the 2025-26 season. The Knicks could look to extend their All-Star forward, yet they must be cognizant of their financial situation and the sacrifice Jalen Brunson made to ensure the franchise has some flexibility on the cap sheet.
As such, Randle’s future with the Knicks isn’t guaranteed unless he’s willing to sign a team-friendly deal. Nevertheless, his value to Thibodeau’s roster can’t be underestimated. He averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists last season, shooting 47.2% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range.
While trading Randle could be an enticing prospect for the front office, the fact remains that New York is better with him on the floor. Still, if there’s no guarantee he will re-sign with the franchise, and there’s a risk the team loses him for nothing at the end of the season, the Knicks may be forced to explore their options. Randle is a core cog for the Knicks, and they will need him if they want to compete for a championship next season.
How does Mikal Bridges slot into Thibodeau’s rotation?
Bridges’ arrival is seen as the final piece of the Knicks puzzle. His three-level scoring and high-level defense have given Thibodeau a starting five capable of rivaling the Boston Celtics. The hard part will be figuring out where Bridges fits into their offensive hierarchy.
In 82 games for the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 43.6% from the field and 37.2% from three-point range. He won’t be as heavily featured within the Knicks offense and may need some time to adjust to being a secondary or tertiary option.
Nevertheless, if he can knock down his open looks, create for himself and defend the wing at an elite level, he could be the catalyst for a deep postseason run. That is, of course, if the Knicks can stay healthy.
