New York Knicks stock up, stock down

Brunson took his game up a level in the playoffs, averaging 27.8 points per game as the Knicks beat Cleveland and fell to Miami in six games. He closed out the Heat series strong, scoring 32, 38 and 41 points in the final three games, while playing all but six minutes and 21 seconds.

New York almost traded for Donovan Mitchell last summer but balked at Utah's asking price. Mitchell ended up in Cleveland, where Brunson outplayed him in the first round of playoffs for the second straight year. Now the Knicks still have all their assets - ten first-round picks through 2029, plus a collection of intriguing young players - and the better playoff performer. And after a few years alongside Luka Doncic in Dallas and one year with All-Star Julius Randle, Brunson's proved he can mesh with any star.

Immanuel Quickley: Quickley went from a potential throw-in to the proposed Mitchell trade to nearly winning Sixth Man of the Year. In his third season, Quickly averaged 14.9 points, upping his shooting to 44.8 percent and 37 percent from distance, all easily career highs. And he did this as New York's best perimeter defender, with the Knicks giving up 12 fewer points per 100 possessions with Quickley on the floor.

The season numbers actually underrate Quickley's performance. From December 1 on, after coach Tom Thibodeau dropped veterans Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose from the rotation, as well as Cam Reddish, Quickley thrived with the extra playing time. He averaged 17 points from December on, increasing his efficiency and his scoring.

And he didn't just score. Quickley had 16 rebounds in November, the most by a guard coming off the bench in at least 40 years. When defenses keyed on him, the Kentucky guard showed he could pass the ball as well. It's not a stretch to say that Quickley is one of the three most important Knicks now, and that's perfect timing since he just became eligible for a rookie extension.

Stock Down

Evan Fournier: After the Knicks signed Evan Fournier to a three-year, $54M deal in 2021, he had a decent season with 14.1 points and 38.9 percent three-point shooting. But besides shooting, Fournier didn't deliver a lot. He didn't get rebounds, didn't get many assists, didn't get to the free-throw line and didn't play defense.

In 2022-23, Fournier fell off a cliff. His outside shooting dropped to 30.7 percent, his defense got worse and Coach Thibs outright benched him for 55 games. Now with one year and $18M left on his deal - there's zero chance the Knicks pick up their team option for 2024-25 - if Fournier isn't included in a trade as an expiring contract, he's likely looking at a buyout.

Obi Toppin: The Knicks took Obi Toppin with the No. 8 pick in the 2020 draft after his stellar sophomore season earned him the college basketball player of the year award. Toppin hasn't lived up to his lottery pedigree so far, in part due to being a bad fit with the New York Knicks roster.

Toppin played 11 minutes per game as a rookie, coming off the bench as an energy power forward. That was also the year incumbent power forward Julius Randle had his breakthrough season, making the All-NBA second team and winning Most Improved Player. After the season, the Knicks gave Randle a contract extension, blocking Toppin with a player who's just three years older than him.

Since then, Mitchell Robinson developed into a quality center and the Knicks have signed centers Isaiah Hartenstein and Jericho Sims. Toppin's future may be as a small ball bench center, but there's no playing time there in New York. To make matters worse for Toppin, the Knicks traded for Josh Hart and gave him time at power forward. With a year left before restricted free agency, it looks like the future of Toppin - by all accounts well-liked in New York - will have to happen elsewhere.

At least he'll always have the dunk contest title.