Amid all the speculation over their next move with their coaching search, the New York Knicks are also set to tackle the draft and free agency.
A pivotal moment for the New York Knicks came and went, with Kevin Durant available for a trade away from the Phoenix Suns.
Despite Durant’s interest in a move to New York, the Knicks were not willing to trade for Durant, and the superstar ended up moving to the Houston Rockets instead.
There have also been speculative links to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Knicks would have to give up a lot to make it happen and weaken their roster while strengthening.
Former star JR Smith believes this would be the wrong move, and backs their decision not to chase Kevin Durant.
The New York Knicks have strong options already, with Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson.
Speaking to WFAN, JR Smith argues that what the Knicks actually need is to build around this core, and not to try and transform it.
He explained: “You need depth. That’s not a knock to KD or Giannis, they are amazing talented players, but you also need the right ingredients. You can’t just throw chicken in a pot with other stuff and like ‘this is going to taste good’, it just doesn’t work like that.
“The depth is definitely where we should get, the Knicks have got a great core, those guys can get better in certain areas.
“Other than that just add two or three major pieces, get a big, if you get in foul trouble, the extra guy who can guard the perimeter, a 3 and D guy, a guy who is really like a spark.”
JR Smith named one player as the perfect representation of the type of player the New York Knicks need, citing Cameron Payne.
Payne signed for the Knicks on a one-year deal and is heading for free agency, but JR Smith likes what he brought to the team.
He said: “We had Cameron Payne who come off the bench he can orchestrate and score. Get another two or three pieces like that I think we are fine.”
Payne was a solid veteran who has played in the Finals with the Suns, and had his moments for the Knicks, but former coach Tom Thibodeau did not trust his rotation enough to really give him substantial opportunities.
One of the big tasks for Thibodeau’s replacement is to find a better balance between his starters and the rest of the group.
