In order to completely understand the moves a team makes the timeline of events must be listed as well.
Pre Draft
Waive Mamadi Diakite's non guaranteed contract
Decline DaQuan Jeffries team option
OG Anunoby opts out and resigns a 4 year 117 million dollar contract with a player option for the final year.
Draft
Pick 24 the Knicks select DaRon Holmes II
Pick 25 the Knicks select Johnny Furphy
Pick 38 the Knicks select Ryan Dunn
Explanation: The Knicks have some depth questions on the front line so adding Holmes simply makes sense. They also have the luxury of being extremely deep so taking Furphy to develop makes sense as well. Adding Dunn as a potential defensive player could be an underrated move for them.
Free Agency
Targeting their important big man is the main goal here. Resigning Isaiah Hartenstein to a 4 year 64 million dollar deal helps solidify the best big man duo in the league. This deal does include a player option in the final 2 years allowing Hartenstein the ability to get a larger deal in the future.
Adding another big back by resigning Precious Achiuwa to a 3 year deal worth 24 million helps secure the depth they need.
Trading Bogdanovic and a 2025 Nets SRP for Malcolm Brogdon allows for additional depth in the back court as well as veteran leadership.
Signing Kris Dunn to a 2 year minimum contract with a player option on the 2nd year gives Thibs the kind of defensive minded player he loves
Signing Garrison Mathews to a 1 year minimum contract gives a little more reliability at the end of the bench.
Ultimately running it back is the best option for the Knicks. They are good enough to compete while remaining under the 2nd apron this year. They do have options for a bigger deal with a multitude of contracts to match any salary.
Start of Season
Starting lineup:
Brunson
DiVincenzo
Anunoby
Randle
Hartenstein
The bench is strong with veterans starting with Hart, Brogdon, and Robinson. McBride and Achiuwa both make valuable contributions as well. Dunn and Mathews both play well in the very limited time they get too.
During the season
The Knicks play great basketball all year with a ton of minor injuries keeping the rotation of players all seemingly fresh. Dunn takes minutes from McBride during an injury to one of the 3 more solidified back court players. Hart pushes for a starting role over Randle due to his hustle and rebounding. The Knicks approach the trade deadline shopping Robinson, Randle, and McBride in hopes to get a better wing to move DiVincenzo to the bench. Overall the team never truly struggles and plays great all year.