Where do Knicks go from here?

After a hard-fought six-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks are on the outside looking in on this year's NBA Finals. 

Despite the rough ending, this was the best season for the Knicks in over 20 years. However, what moves can New York make to push beyond the conference finals and capture its first championship in over 50 years?

Replacing Tom Thibodeau

Thibodeau brought the Knicks back into relevance and has made the playoffs in four of his five seasons as head coach, but it might be time for both sides to move on. 

Thibodeau got thoroughly out-coached by Pacers HC Rick Carlisle in the conference finals and didn't attempt to develop any kind of bench unit until deep into the playoffs. His stubborn ways might have run their course in New York. 

While according to The Athletic, Thibodeau has the support of team president Leon Rose and star guard Jalen Brunson, for now, a move for a more offensively minded head coach, like former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, could unlock New York's offense and lead it to true title contention.

Building around the margins

This team was only two wins away from the NBA Finals, so perhaps the best way to push further is to build around the margins and help balance this extremely top-heavy roster. 

The Knicks have a great track record in recent years of finding high-performing role players, such as signing Isaiah Hartenstein and Donte DiVincenzo. Maybe trading oft-injured center Mitchell Robinson or sixth man Josh Hart to get more depth, or taking on reclamation projects like Clippers guard Ben Simmons, could be all the Knicks need to come out of the East next year. 

Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo

This is the blow-it-up-and-swing-for-the-fences approach to the offseason. 

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar is a perennial MVP candidate, one of the greatest players of his generation, and it just so happens he could end up on the trading block. There are rumors flying all around the Greek Freak's offseason, and after New York's reported frustration with Karl-Anthony Towns, it's possible the Knicks wouldn't mind moving some big pieces to land Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo wants to stay in the East, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, and New York could give him everything he wants: an Eastern Conference team, a bigger market and a place to truly contend for championships. It's risky, and the Knicks would likely have to give up any number of Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, but if Antetokounmpo is on the other end of that transaction, the Knicks shouldn't say no.