The New York Knicks are coming off their best season in recent basketball history. RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and new coach Tom Thibedaeou helped establish a culture there that has set the team up to become a big player in free agency.
Despite desperation by the front office to become contenders quickly, however, the Knickerbockers might hold their cards for next summer, when two star guards are expected to hit free agency.
(Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report)
“As recently as last month, a source said the Knicks have talked internally about the possibility of holding enough cap space this summer for 2022 and keeping enough money around to be able to go after a max player in that 2022 class, which should include Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal.”
26-year-old Zach LaVine is coming off his best season as a pro, with averages of 27.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 50% shooting. The Bulls finished 11th in the East with a 31-41 record.
Bradley Beal, meanwhile, was the leading vote-getter for Eastern guards in this year’s All-Star game, signifying that the world has finally taken notice of his game. A career 22-point-per-game scorer, he’s one of the best shooters in today’s NBA.
Whatever the Knicks decide to do, their next step will be crucial in determining whether or not they can turn things around.
