A potential offseason to-do list for resurgent Knicks

Although they lost to lower-seeded Miami Heat in the second round, the New York Knicks enjoyed their most successful season in a decade. With Jalen Brunson emerging as a culture-changing star and the Knicks boasting a formidable supporting cast, New York is finally in a position to attract top talent.

Snapshot

Before New York considers any significant changes to the roster, Knicks president Leon Rose has a few items on his offseason to-do list.

Rose must re-sign trade deadline acquisition Josh Hart, who is sure to opt out of his contract and reportedly wants to remain in New York. Hart may seek a deal worth at least $18 million annually, but by declining Derrick Rose's $15.6M team option, it should be a straightforward negotiation process for the Knicks.

Once the former MVP's salary is off the books and Hart agrees to a deal, New York can turn its attention to the trade market. It has plenty of resources at hand, including seven first-round picks through 2027 and Evan Fournier's desirable contract. Fournier, the Knicks' season leader in three-pointers made, said last week that he anticipates getting dealt.

After those moves take place, Rose can begin exploring ways for the Knicks to take the next step toward title contention. Here are four potential players New York could target in free agency or through trade:

Free-agent target: Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

While his impact doesn't stack up to Brunson's, Reaves is another underrated player who has become a top option for his team this season. In 64 regular-season games, the 24-year-old averaged 13 points on 52.9% shooting from the field and 39.8% from behind the arc.

The playoff lights haven't been a problem for Reaves either; he's averaging 16 points while shooting 41.7% from three-point range. 

Reaves will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and the highest offer the Lakers can make is a four-year, $50.8M deal. The Athletic's Shams Charania believes Reaves could fetch more on the open market. If the Knicks freecap space or work out a sign-and-trade, "Hillbilly Kobe" has the three-point shooting and defensive tenacity to thrive in HC Tom Thibodeau's system. 

Trade option: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors

Anunoby was available at the trade deadline, but the Raptors surprisingly decided not to trade any of their core players. The Knicks expressed strong interest in the three-and-d wing before ultimately trading for Hart though perhaps the sides revisit a potential trade over the summer. 

During the regular season, Anunoby averaged 16.8 points and a career-high 1.9 steals per game. If he's still a trade candidate, his price should be lower than in February, as he has a player option for the 2024-25 season. 

Depending on the direction Toronto takes for its franchise, maybe the Knicks can execute a blockbuster deal and bring in Pascal Siakam along with him.

Free-agent target: Donte DiVincenzo, Golden State Warriors

DiVincenzo isn't exactly a household name, but the Knicks have already found success by acquiring former Villanova Wildcats, and he'd be no exception. DiVincenzo has been a valuable role player for title-contesting teams throughout his career and made vital contributions with Golden State this season.

DiVincenzo played in a career-high 72 games and made 36 starts for the Warriors, averaging 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. 

Long-shot trade option: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Although fans may want Julius Randle or RJ Barrett shipped out of town, there's little chance of that happening this offseason. Randle is coming off his second All-NBA season in three years, whereas Barrett is only 22 and has proven he can be a 20-point-per-game scorer.

However, if the Knicks make a major splash, at least one of their starting forwards would have to be in the deal. There haven't been any disgruntled stars demanding a trade yet, though the most likely high-profile trade candidate this offseason would be Embiid. 

Philadelphia was once again knocked out in the second round in disappointing fashion and has since fired HC Doc Rivers. Although this season's MVP is largely responsible for the 76ers' playoff shortcomings, Brunson has proved he can be a reliable postseason performer that Embiid could lean on.

There has been some chatter that the Knicks have been waiting for Embiid to become available, which might not just be smoke, given his ties to the organization.

Prior to becoming the team's president, Rose was a prominent agent for CAA, and Embiid was one of his clients. Embiid also has connections with William "World Wide Wes" Wesley, the Knicks' executive vice president – senior basketball advisor. If New York doesn't continue waiting for a superstar, it wouldn't be surprising to see an Embiid pursuit this offseason.