Notwithstanding the way they performed in the playoffs, Tom Thibodeau and the New York Knicks are still among the best stories of the 2020-21 NBA season. Now, the Knicks look to build on their recent success, as they plan to address some roster issues to sustain their momentum going forward.
One of the items on their priority list is improving their backcourt that's begging for stability.
The Knicks have control of three of the top 32 picks and four overall in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft, and according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Thibodeau might have New York using all their picks as trade baits to get the team's backcourt a much-needed upgrade.
The Knicks also desperately need a starting point guard, and that’s going to happen in free agency — with close to $60 million in cap space — or in a blockbuster trade. In fact, that deal could take place on draft night July 29, with the Knicks giving up three of their four draft picks (19, 21, 32, 58). Thibodeau not only talked about “trading up’’ but “trading out’’ of the draft.
As of the moment, the Knicks have Derrick Rose, Frank Ntilikina, and Elfrid Payton all having contracts that are about to expire at the end of the season. None of these guards projects to be a must-resign target for the the team. Rose had his moments in the playoffs, but at his age and history of injuries, he's certainly not part of New York's long-term plans. Meanwhile, Ntilikina and Payton simply didn't do much to win Thibodeau.
The Knicks still have Immanuel Quickley, but he's not the proven point guard that could elevate the Knicks right away–one that Thibodeau could be targeting in a shiny offseason trade maneuver.
Until then, we will all just have to wait for what Thibodeau and the Knicks have in store for the team's roster
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