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The New York Knicks' postseason ended early, as the Atlanta Hawks knocked them out in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. The series lasted just five games and it was clear that the Knicks roster had some clear deficiencies, far from the finished product head coach Tom Thibodeau wants it to be.
3 positions the New York Knicks need to strengthen at going into the 2021 NBA offseason
The New York Knicks will enter the 2021 NBA offseason with more cap space than any other NBA franchise. It will give them the liberty and flexibility to acquire quality personnel and improve their roster. On that note, here are three positions that the Knicks desperately need to make new additions at.
#3 Starting point guard
The New York Knicks started Elfrid Payton at point guard for the majority of the 2020-21 NBA season. Payton played 63 games, averaging 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. The numbers fell even further in the playoffs, where Payton only played two games out of five. He averaged 6.5 minutes per game in the postseason, registering dismal figures of 0.5 points and 0.5 assists.
The New York Knicks need an urgent upgrade at point guard, as Payton is clearly not cut out to be the starting PG on a playoff team. The Knicks have 2020-21 NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate Derrick Rose coming off the bench, but Thibodeau would like to reserve the former MVP to lead the second unit instead.
The 2021 NBA free agency will present some enticing options to the New York Knicks, and management could also look to acquire a star point guard through a trade. Kyle Lowry, Lonzo Ball and Dennis Schroder are some of the names the front office can look into. DeMar DeRozan is also a free agent in the summer and, despite being a shooting guard, has shown that he possesses the ability to lead an NBA offense.
#2 Acquire 3&D threats
The New York Knicks will have to potentially negotiate the departures of various key players in the 2021 NBA offseason. Derrick Rose, Reggie Bullock, Alec Burks, Taj Gibson and Nerlens Noel are all unrestricted free agents this summer. It will be difficult for the New York Knicks front office to keep hold of the complete UFA contingent.
Reggie Bullock has been a starter for Tom Thibodeau since Day 1, as the former Chicago Bulls coach has entrusted him with a 3&D role. Bullock was brilliant throughout the regular season but failed to exert his influence in the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks.
The New York Knicks will be better off letting Bullock go in the 2021 NBA offseason and looking to acquire a more reliable and experienced 3&D wing. Kelly Oubre Jr., Josh Hart and Will Barton are some athletic wings that will be available this offseason, who can play gritty defense and are not high-usage players on offense.
#1 Frontcourt depth
As mentioned above, New York Knicks back-up center Nerlens Noel is an unrestricted free agent this summer and, in all likelihood, won't be returning to the team's setup ahead of the 2021-22 NBA campaign. Noel filled in for Mitchell Robinson when the young center went down with an injury.
The Knicks would certainly like to improve at center position next season, and that may involve cutting Noel and getting a more versatile, defensively solid big.
There are doubts over veteran Taj Gibson's return as well, meaning the New York Knicks will be extremely thin with regards to their frontcourt options. Robinson is still young and needs an experienced head on the roster.
LA Lakers' Andre Drummond, LA Clippers' Serge Ibaka and Sacramento Kings' Richaun Holmes are some of the names the New York Knicks front office can look at to improve the team's frontcourt depth.
Guess the Lakers players!
