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The New York market will always be among the best in the NBA. Even if both New York franchises have not won a championship for many years, the marketability and attractiveness of the community continue to ascend. For instance, the shocking run of the Knicks by reaching the 1st round of the playoffs two years ago felt like an NBA Finals appearance for the whole New York area.
After that circumstance, New York has plummeted in the Eastern Conference standings as they failed even to crack a play-in spot last season. Julius Randle, Evan Fournier, and Kemba Walker were some of the big names who failed to reach the heightened expectations. As the offseason began, the front office retooled their roster by signing Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein and resigning Mitchell Robinson.
Being in the middle of the pack in the East is tough, so these are three needs they must address to reach the 2023 NBA Finals:
3 biggest needs for Knicks to become 2023 NBA Finals contender
Legitimate & Proven NBA Superstar
Ever since the departure of Carmelo Anthony many years ago, the Knicks have been eager to acquire another top-tier superstar. The organization's priority must be the foundation of having that big name to attract talented supplementary pieces. The current role players of the Knicks are incredibly led by guys like Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson, but they are not close to a star or superstar level.
Julius Randle was one of the best players in the league two seasons ago, but he could not sustain his success. Being in the mix for Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell is a delightful sight for Knicks fans because he will elevate New York to a better position in the East. With the current assets of young guns and eight tradable first-round picks, the Knicks are positioned to acquire Mitchell before the start of next season.
Reliable outside shooters
For a team led by Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Jalen Brunson, they must be surrounded by phenomenal and consistent outside shooters. These three individuals are average shooters, but the key is adding guys like Duncan Robinson or Bojan Bogdanovic to create better floor spacing. Evan Fournier is the best shooter in the squad, but it is the inconsistency that has been haunting this iteration of the Knicks.
There were games last year wherein they would rain long-range bombs and seem unstoppable, but that would only last for a couple of games. In this era of the NBA, outside shooting is a considerable strength that must be utilized for any team that intends to go on a deep playoff run. Other names, like Joe Harris, Seth Curry, or Terrence Ross, would complement this Knicks lineup.
Tall shot creator
The lack of a highly-skilled point guard has been a desired need for the franchise. Acquiring Jalen Brunson addresses the concern, but they need a taller man to create shots for guys like Julius Randle. Evan Fournier has not flourished in that role, which gives RJ Barrett the immense pressure of making shots for the Knicks.
When defenses intensify and tighten up, the ability to have a top-notch secondary playmaker is a necessity for New York. The opening to acquire Donovan Mitchell would be a massive boost for their scoring production and lackluster shot creation. Adding Mitchell requires a substantial package, but they could add a player with a similar style to Malcolm Brogdon or Lonzo Ball.
The Knicks still need a plethora of pieces to contend for an NBA Championship. Their fans received false hope because of their 4th seed run in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, but that group was not close to capturing the crown. With New York Knicks President Leon Rose leading the front office, the future is still uncertain for the organization. Suggestions to form a contending team will always be presented, but the execution of the team-building Knicks is questionable.
