The New York Knicks are still riding the high of winning the NBA Finals over the San Antonio Spurs last month.
The offseason has brought difficult choices for the team to make, despite ending a 53-year championship drought. The team said goodbye to Mitchell Robinson, who signed a three-year contract with the Boston Celtics. Because of this, CBS Sports contributor Sam Quinn gave the Knicks a C-plus for their offseason grade so far.
“The Knicks will have to figure something else out at center. They don’t even have a third big yet. Maybe they find someone at training camp. Maybe they trade for someone during the season. They tried an offer sheet for Moussa Cissé that got matched, but as Dallas currently has 15 other players with guaranteed contracts, the Knicks may be hoping that the Mavericks simply waive him before the season so they can pick him up then,“ Quinn wrote.
The only teams with better grades compared to the Knicks were the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Knicks responded to Robinson leaving for the Celtics by signing another regional rival in Andre Drummond who played with the Philadelphia 76ers for the past two seasons. Ultimately, the Knicks could have avoided replacing Robinson, but at least they have a plan rather than just winging it.
The Knicks could have also let go of several of their free agents, but Robinson was the only one that didn’t re-sign. Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Muhammad Diawara and Jordan Clarkson are all returning to the Knicks in hopes of winning another championship.
While the Knicks haven’t dominated the offseason, they have taken care of their own as much as possible while staying underneath the second apron, which is very difficult to do. That’s why I would amend this grade and give the Knicks a B.
Posting and Toasting community: what grade would you give the Knicks for their offseason? Let us know in the comment section below.
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