New York won its first title in 53 years, but pending free agents and salary cap pressure mean the work is far from over.
For the first time in 53 years, the New York Knicks are NBA champions.
The franchise capped a 16-3 playoff run by beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games, with Jalen Brunson dropping 45 points in the clincher at the Frost Bank Center to earn Finals MVP.
It was everything that New York fans had been waiting for, but now the front office has to figure out how to keep this thing going into next season.
The Core Is Locked In
The best part of this offseason is that the five players who built this title are all under contract heading into next season.
Brunson led the charge on both ends of the floor all year, averaging 26.0 points and 6.8 assists per game while leading the team to a 53-29 record and the third seed in the East.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds and gave the Knicks a frontcourt presence they had been missing for years.
Pair them with OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, and this starting five has the balance and chemistry that championship teams are built around.
Keeping the Bench Together
Where things get tricky is the depth behind them.
New York could have as many as seven free agents this offseason, and several of them played key roles in the championship run.
Mitchell Robinson is the biggest name heading for the open market.
The longest-tenured Knick and an unrestricted free agent, Robinson's rebounding and rim protection made him a key part of this title run, but his injury history and inconsistent free throw shooting are real concerns.
The Bulls and Hornets have reportedly shown interest, which means New York might need to pay more than expected to bring him back.
Landry Shamet might be the most important re-signing of the summer.
He averaged 9.3 points on 39.2 percent shooting from three during the regular season while playing on a $3.1 million deal, then shot 47.5 percent from deep in the playoffs.
For a team that lives and dies by floor spacing, losing a shooter like that at that price would sting.
Jose Alvarado has a $4.5 million player option to think about, and Jordan Clarkson is unlikely to return after playing a limited bench role that never found a steady rhythm under Mike Brown.
Looking Ahead
The salary cap is the biggest hurdle facing the front office this summer.
Bridges' extension already pushes New York to the first apron, and the team sits roughly $13 million below the second apron.
Bringing back both Robinson and Shamet could push them over that line, which would freeze a future first-round pick and limit the team's ability to make trades going forward.
New York holds the 31st pick in what projects as a deep draft, and targeting a backup center or combo wing there could help offset whatever depth they lose in free agency.
The foundation is rock solid, but filling out the edges of this roster is what will decide whether the Knicks defend their title or watch someone else celebrate next June.
