The New York Knicks have been highly active during the 2024 NBA offseason. They made several strategic trades during the draft to save money and enhance their second-round picks.
However, the most significant moves occurred before the draft. The Knicks pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, adding him to a roster that already includes Villanova champions Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart.
Additionally, New York re-signed OG Anunoby, creating a formidable two-way wing pairing to challenge the Boston Celtics. Despite these achievements, the offseason wasn’t flawless for the Knicks.
A significant gap emerged at center with Isaiah Hartenstein’s departure to the Oklahoma City Thunder on a three-year, $87 million deal. The best the Knicks could secure was a four-year, $72.5 million contract, leaving a void in the frontcourt.
To address this, Leon Rose turned to free agency, starting by re-signing Precious Achiuwa to a one-year, $6 million contract.
The deal with Precious Achiuwa was notable for its rarity, as he agreed to forgo the no-trade clause he would have received. Achiuwa qualified for Bird’s veto, which would have allowed him to block any potential trades. By waiving this right, he gives the Knicks more flexibility, enabling them to include him in future trade packages if needed.
In addition to Achiuwa, the Knicks have also signed Chuma Okeke. A first-round pick from the 2019 NBA Draft and Auburn alum, Okeke has shown promise but faced setbacks due to an injury that caused him to miss his entire rookie season. At just 25 years old, he could be a valuable developmental asset for the Knicks on the wing. Despite falling out of favor with the Orlando Magic this season, Okeke represents a strong long-term addition for New York.
Leon Rose has excelled at bolstering the New York Knicks’ bench this offseason. Last season, Tom Thibodeau often had to rely on very short rotations due to injuries. However, with the significant improvements made to the bench depth, that issue should be alleviated moving forward.
