New York Knicks Off-Season Review | Season Preview
May 21, 2015 19:37:27 GMT -6
London, Phil Jackson, and 3 more like this
Post by New York on May 21, 2015 19:37:27 GMT -6
New York Knicks
Opening Thoughts
The New York Knicks are coming off their most successful season in franchise history. After breaking up their long standing quartet by trading Artis Gilmore to bring in Elvin Hayes, this team kicked off it's season winning 33 games (of their 63 wins) before they even lost 5 games. Behind a historic offense (most PPG, AST, and FGM ever in a season) this team was able to go 40-1 at home (which to my knowledge as also a league record). With four all-stars, the defensive player of the year (and to others who made all-defensive teams), and the coach of the year this team walked into the playoffs as one of the early favorites. While they weren't able to get it done there, falling to the eventual champion Warriors in the conference finals, this team had a respectable run during the 2026 Season. Heading into the off-season they had only 6 players signed with three starters (Adrian Dantley, Bobby Jones, Elvin Hayes) and most of their bench heading to free agency. How did would they respond to this? Would they get the band back together or would they go in a different direction?
Off-Season Transactions (Re-signings, Additions, Subtractions)
Off-Season Review
Questions Heading Into Season
Final Season Thoughts
Opening Thoughts
The New York Knicks are coming off their most successful season in franchise history. After breaking up their long standing quartet by trading Artis Gilmore to bring in Elvin Hayes, this team kicked off it's season winning 33 games (of their 63 wins) before they even lost 5 games. Behind a historic offense (most PPG, AST, and FGM ever in a season) this team was able to go 40-1 at home (which to my knowledge as also a league record). With four all-stars, the defensive player of the year (and to others who made all-defensive teams), and the coach of the year this team walked into the playoffs as one of the early favorites. While they weren't able to get it done there, falling to the eventual champion Warriors in the conference finals, this team had a respectable run during the 2026 Season. Heading into the off-season they had only 6 players signed with three starters (Adrian Dantley, Bobby Jones, Elvin Hayes) and most of their bench heading to free agency. How did would they respond to this? Would they get the band back together or would they go in a different direction?
Off-Season Transactions (Re-signings, Additions, Subtractions)
Adrian Dantley: Re-signed for $94,875,000 over 5 years ($73,425,000 over 4 + TO)
- The Robin to Zoran Slavnic's Batman, there was no question that he'd be back but the fact that he re-signed at a noticeable discount made it even sweeter. Rumors are going around that the Knicks will continue to develop his 3 point shot and potentially his defense so that he can be just as effective as he ages and loses a step athletically.
Elvin Hayes: Re-signed for $54,825,000 over 3 years ($35,275,000 over 2 + TO)
- The reigning 2x Defensive Player of the Year. There were rumors that the team would target younger big men like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Anthony Mason, and David Robinson but the team decided to go with the guy they knew would be most effective over the next year or two.
Bobby Jones: Re-signed for $5,187,500 over 2 years ($2,500,000 over 1 + TO)
- Underrated defender that has been on the All-Defensive team both years as a Knick (and two years prior to that). Capable starter and he was available for a bench players price. His color rating will begin to look less favorable soon but defensive versatility will keep him in a team's rotation for the next few years.
Allen Leavell: Signed an extension for $4,393,740 over 3 years
- Re-signed for dirt cheap and provides the Knicks with a sharp shooter, rebounder, and passer from the guard spots off the bench. The Knicks 6th man last year, he's capable of stepping in for Zoran and Birdsong. His return was a must for the team.
Frank Adrian: Currently a Free Agent
- Scrub that was used to get to 12 last year
Shawn Bradley: Signed with Kings for $774,000 over 1 year.
- Was an efficient big man and shot blocker but was the least effective rotation player for the Knicks last season. Swapped places with Willis Reed on the Sydney Kings.
Vernon Maxwell: Signed with Spurs for $846,000 over 1 year.
- Was a solid contributor off the bench but the Knicks wanted taller SFs that could shoot just as good hence the Higgins and Piatowski signings and a more defensive minded SG hence the Gilliam signing.
Anthony Peeler: Signed with Madrid for $5,680,632 over 2 years
- Not a scrub like Adrian because he has potential but he was very much a minimum players used to fill out the roster last year, definitely not worth more than a minimum salary.
Herm Giliiam: Signed for $2,920,000 over 2 years (1,428,000 over 1 + TO)
- A guard defender that likely won't see many minutes but was a big time contributor on both of the Sonic championship teams. May be undervalued because he is G/G (or Y/Y depending on who you ask) but with his ratings he can likely be a bench contributor
Rod Higgins: Signed for $930,000 over 1 year
- A solid 3 & D bench player that is guaranteed to contribute somewhat if Eric Piatowski doesn't pan out.
Brad Miller: Drafted #30 in the 2026 Draft
- A young big with excellent passing potential. Could bust or with some TC love could be another Sabonis, Manning, Unseld, or Thompson with the potential he has moving the ball.
Eric Piatowski: Signed for $774,000 over 1 year
- Potentially a sharp shooter off the bench for the team with good size. That may sound like the normal hype job but the Knicks GM showed last year that he could get players to elevate their play and play up to their ratings with Vernon Maxwell who had the best season of his career as a Knicks backup.
Willis Reed: Signed for $1,428,000 over 1 year
- Replacement big man to fill the spot that Shawn Bradley left. Was more effective as a backup big man than Shawn Bradley was with better defense and a more all around game
- The Robin to Zoran Slavnic's Batman, there was no question that he'd be back but the fact that he re-signed at a noticeable discount made it even sweeter. Rumors are going around that the Knicks will continue to develop his 3 point shot and potentially his defense so that he can be just as effective as he ages and loses a step athletically.
Elvin Hayes: Re-signed for $54,825,000 over 3 years ($35,275,000 over 2 + TO)
- The reigning 2x Defensive Player of the Year. There were rumors that the team would target younger big men like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Anthony Mason, and David Robinson but the team decided to go with the guy they knew would be most effective over the next year or two.
Bobby Jones: Re-signed for $5,187,500 over 2 years ($2,500,000 over 1 + TO)
- Underrated defender that has been on the All-Defensive team both years as a Knick (and two years prior to that). Capable starter and he was available for a bench players price. His color rating will begin to look less favorable soon but defensive versatility will keep him in a team's rotation for the next few years.
Allen Leavell: Signed an extension for $4,393,740 over 3 years
- Re-signed for dirt cheap and provides the Knicks with a sharp shooter, rebounder, and passer from the guard spots off the bench. The Knicks 6th man last year, he's capable of stepping in for Zoran and Birdsong. His return was a must for the team.
Frank Adrian: Currently a Free Agent
- Scrub that was used to get to 12 last year
Shawn Bradley: Signed with Kings for $774,000 over 1 year.
- Was an efficient big man and shot blocker but was the least effective rotation player for the Knicks last season. Swapped places with Willis Reed on the Sydney Kings.
Vernon Maxwell: Signed with Spurs for $846,000 over 1 year.
- Was a solid contributor off the bench but the Knicks wanted taller SFs that could shoot just as good hence the Higgins and Piatowski signings and a more defensive minded SG hence the Gilliam signing.
Anthony Peeler: Signed with Madrid for $5,680,632 over 2 years
- Not a scrub like Adrian because he has potential but he was very much a minimum players used to fill out the roster last year, definitely not worth more than a minimum salary.
Herm Giliiam: Signed for $2,920,000 over 2 years (1,428,000 over 1 + TO)
- A guard defender that likely won't see many minutes but was a big time contributor on both of the Sonic championship teams. May be undervalued because he is G/G (or Y/Y depending on who you ask) but with his ratings he can likely be a bench contributor
Rod Higgins: Signed for $930,000 over 1 year
- A solid 3 & D bench player that is guaranteed to contribute somewhat if Eric Piatowski doesn't pan out.
Brad Miller: Drafted #30 in the 2026 Draft
- A young big with excellent passing potential. Could bust or with some TC love could be another Sabonis, Manning, Unseld, or Thompson with the potential he has moving the ball.
Eric Piatowski: Signed for $774,000 over 1 year
- Potentially a sharp shooter off the bench for the team with good size. That may sound like the normal hype job but the Knicks GM showed last year that he could get players to elevate their play and play up to their ratings with Vernon Maxwell who had the best season of his career as a Knicks backup.
Willis Reed: Signed for $1,428,000 over 1 year
- Replacement big man to fill the spot that Shawn Bradley left. Was more effective as a backup big man than Shawn Bradley was with better defense and a more all around game
Off-Season Review
So I touched on each player individually but overall what grade would I give the Knicks for their off-season? Probably a solid B+. They didn't bring in some exciting new superstar but two things they did were probably a lot more important than that. First they brought back Adrian Dantley who was and will be their leading scorer on a deal that will make him only the 34th highest paid player in the league. Second they retained Elvin Hayes who was a key member of their team last season as well so getting him back was crucial. Some may consider it risky giving him 2 guaranteed years but the Knicks feel like Elvin Hayes at 34 is closer to a lesser player at around 30 years old so they are confident he'll be fine and if not he expires next year (right before Zoran's free agency) and will be easy to dump. He was a top 15 player in terms of EWA and PER and the best defender in the league so I look at it as a positive to have him back. After the two big names the next most important transactions were bringing back Allen Leavell and Bobby Jones. Leavell was a legit threat off the bench and as I said above he re-signed for dirt cheap. He is 27 and locked in for 3 years so the Knicks have an all around guard reserve (and spot starter) contributor they can count on during that time. Bobby Jones since joining the Knicks has seemingly been the glue that kept the starting lineup together. His versatile defense and solid offensive contributions makes him a nice rotation player to have a 2.5 million. Outside of their re-signing the Knicks let most of their bench walk away and replaced their 2 rotation players with 4-5 guys they think can contribute. Brad Miller joins Kurt Thomas as the youth on the Knicks and with his unique offensive skill set he can be a legit contributor in the future if he survives a few TCs. Willis Reed provided the Eurasian Championship Kings with 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 off the bench last season and if he can do something similar this year he'll be a bigger contributor than Shawn Bradley was last year. Rod Higgins and Eric Piatowski provide shooting and along with Herm Gilliam, Rod Higgins provides them with defense. All in all I truly believe that with the improved depth of this team they should be a stronger team if they have a good TC. So I have to give this team a thumbs up for their off-season.
Questions Heading Into Season
1. This team is very likely to be the best offensive team in the league, can they improve upon their defense that faltered at the end of the season?
2. How will the veteran Bobby Jones, Zoran Slavnic, Elvin Hayes, and Otis Birdsong perform this season? Will they be a step slower or will they continue their trend of improving on their previous season?
3. Will any of the young big men; Kurt Thomas, Tyrone Hill, or Brad Miller take a step closer to being starters or will they falter?
4. Can the team continue their home dominance (outside of their games against San Francisco)?
5. Will the new bench members of Willis Reed, Brad Miller, Herm Gilliam, Rod Higgins, and Eric Piatowski replace Shawn Bradley and Vernon Maxwell?
5. After setting the record for PPG (123.3) and APG (35.5) can they top themselves in either category?
6. Will the Knicks have their 4th 60+ win season in 5 years?
7. Is it possible for the Knicks to break their win record of 63 wins?
8. Will Zoran Slavnic be an M.V.P candidate this year?
2. How will the veteran Bobby Jones, Zoran Slavnic, Elvin Hayes, and Otis Birdsong perform this season? Will they be a step slower or will they continue their trend of improving on their previous season?
3. Will any of the young big men; Kurt Thomas, Tyrone Hill, or Brad Miller take a step closer to being starters or will they falter?
4. Can the team continue their home dominance (outside of their games against San Francisco)?
5. Will the new bench members of Willis Reed, Brad Miller, Herm Gilliam, Rod Higgins, and Eric Piatowski replace Shawn Bradley and Vernon Maxwell?
5. After setting the record for PPG (123.3) and APG (35.5) can they top themselves in either category?
6. Will the Knicks have their 4th 60+ win season in 5 years?
7. Is it possible for the Knicks to break their win record of 63 wins?
8. Will Zoran Slavnic be an M.V.P candidate this year?
Final Season Thoughts
- This team should be in the conversation for a championship run once again but just like in the past they will have to go through the West Division to even get to the finals. But instead of the Sonics it will likely be the Warriors standing in their way. They added some more size to their bench and that is something they felt was important against the tall Warriors team. Elvin Hayes, Otis Birdsong, Zoran Slavnic, and Adrian Dantley are expected to have All-Star or Near All-Star seasons and Dantley may join Zoran Slavnic in the MVP conversation if the rumors of him getting some additional defensive or shooting training is true.
I expect this to be a team that wins a minimum of 60 games if they are healthy and could push for anywhere between 65-68 I believe. They will have to improve their defense for that to come true though, they have the best defender in the league and probably the 2nd best guard defender as well but finding the proper settings and rotation will be key. One thing that is for certain, this should be an interesting season for the Knickerbockers.
I expect this to be a team that wins a minimum of 60 games if they are healthy and could push for anywhere between 65-68 I believe. They will have to improve their defense for that to come true though, they have the best defender in the league and probably the 2nd best guard defender as well but finding the proper settings and rotation will be key. One thing that is for certain, this should be an interesting season for the Knickerbockers.
