A Breakdown of the Knicks Offseason Moves and Decisions to Come in 2023

As the 2022-23 NBA regular season nears its end, the New York Knicks are facing crucial decisions regarding their roster for the upcoming season. With a mix of expiring contracts, contract extensions, and potential free agents, the Knicks offseason moves will be closely monitored. The Knicks will need to make some tough choices in the coming months as they head into 2023 NBA free agency.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the key decisions that the Knicks are facing. Additionally, we explore some of the potential offseason moves and decisions that the Knicks may face in 2024, and what they could mean for the team’s long-term plans. Whether the Knicks decide to stay the course or make some offseason trades, there is no doubt that this offseason will have a major impact on the team’s success in the years to come. So let’s dive in and take a closer look at the Knicks’ offseason moves.

Knicks Expiring Contracts and Extensions

What is an expiring contract in the NBA?

In the NBA, an expiring contract is a contract between a player and a team that is set to expire at the end of a given season. It means that the player is only under contract with the team for the current season. Following this time, the player will become a free agent, unless he signs a new contract with the team or is traded to another team before the end of the season.

Expiring contracts are important because they create financial flexibility for teams. They allow teams to clear cap space and create room to sign free agents, make trades, or re-sign their own players. A player on an expiring contract can also be a valuable asset in trade negotiations. Rebuilding teams looking to clear cap space or acquire a player for a short-term rental, may be interested in acquiring a player who will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Josh Hart player option in 2023-24

One of the most notable Knicks offseason moves in 2023 is how the front office will manage Josh Hart’s contract. He is set to earn $12.9 million in the 2023-24 season heading into the final year of his contract, per Spotrac.

Josh Hart holds a player option for the 2023-24 season, before becoming an unrestricted free agent. This means he can opt-out of his contract with the Knicks and become a free agent ahead of its completion. If he does this and walks, the Knicks will have received one year of Josh Hart for a protected first round pick and Cam Reddish.

The good news for Knicks fans – this is unlikely.

Across the NBA, the expectation is he will opt out of his player option and sign long term. Since Hart has expressed his joy playing meaningful games in March, and considering what the Knicks gave up to get him, the most likely scenario is that both sides agree to terms.

This will be a Knicks 2023 NBA free agency move to watch.

Immanuel Quickley staying for the long-term

Managing the Rookie extension of Immanuel Quickley will be top of the whiteboard during the Knicks 2023 free agency. The entire NBA will be watching this decision closely.

Immanuel Quickley has taken the league by storm this season. He has shown significant growth on the offensively, most recently scoring 40 points against the Houston Rockets on 77.8% shooting. In addition, Quickley has also continued his elite defensive play. With his improvement offensively, and incredible defensive game, he is fast becoming one of the top young prospects to watch in the NBA.

According to Bobby Marks in an article with the New York Post, he suggests a 4 year $95 million deal is possible. A similar extension received by De’Andre Hunter with the Atlanta Hawks.

Quickley has shown the Knicks organization how important he is to this franchise. He has stepped up for an injured Jalen Brunson and made himself a 6th man of the year contender.

Locking up Quickley should be a top priority for the Knicks offseason. Allowing him to become a free agent in 2024 will only raise his price tag for the Knicks.

Tough roster decisions for the Knicks and Obi Toppin

Obi Toppin has not made the jump that many thought he would this season. Following his strong finish to end of the 2021-22 season, Toppin was expected to challenge Julius Randle for the starting position.

Toppin has averaged 6.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 41.7% from the field. While he has shown glimpses throughout the season, he has not been able to consistently produce.

The lack of production, for the most part, is due to the renewed success of Julius Randle. Randle has garnered majority of the minutes at power forward, leaving opportunities scarce for Toppin.

Tom Thibodeau has not made life easy for Toppin. The coaching staff has been unwilling to play Toppin alongside Randle, making it difficult to find minutes, hindering his growth.

This has forced a difficult decision for the Knicks organization. It will force the Knicks to make a big call on his future sooner rather than later. Without consistent opportunity, committing to Topping with Randle consuming majority of the minutes is not the best option.

How Knicks will move forward with Toppin

Signing Toppin to an extension will significantly impact the Knicks flexibility during the 2023 NBA offseason. If the Knicks sign Toppin to an extension, they can no longer sign Quickley to the same Rookie-scale extension. This is due to the NBA rule where teams can only have two players on such contract at a time. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

This limits the Knicks offseason moves flexibility in regards to Obi Toppin. There are only two options available:

Exercise Toppin’s club option, which they have already done, and keep his role the same as it is today.

Explore a trade prior to the 2023 NBA season or trade deadline

Now, Toppin could sign with the Knicks at the end of the 2023-24 season as an unrestricted free agent. Although this would require dramatic increase in productivity. At his current level of production, it will be difficult for the Knicks to justify a contract. This leaves the most likely scenario being a Knicks offseason trade.