New York Knicks Season Review 2022-23

Record: 57-25                      Conference Standing: 4^th in the East

Led by NSL O.G and one of the league�s most formidable GMs- Smokey, the Knicks entered the 4^th year of the NSL as one of the favourites to take out the title. Over the offseason they were busy working the lines, re-shaping their roster with value additive move after value additive move, sending shockwaves through the league with blockbuster trades involving multiple teams.

A master of the mega-deal, Smokey used the multi-team trade to upgrade and diversify, providing short-term housing for a multitude of stars before moving on for the right fit around his centrepieces like star Kawhi. It�s hard to remember exactly what had been through the door over the past year but some of the assets include pick 2 (struck gold in the lottery again), Jimmy Butler, Julius Randle, Clint Capella, Marcus Smart, OG Anunoby and Damian Lillard.

Don�t knock it �til you�ve tried it, the �trade, trade and upgrade� strategy is a proven method to winning and the Knicks hustled all season, diversifying a roster that would go all the way to the conference semi-finals, falling short in a heartbreaking game 7 loss against the Washington Wizards. While a Conference Semi wasn�t the end point the Knicks fans had hoped for, they should hold their heads high knowing they were as close as any conference rival got to taking down the Eastern Conference Champion Washington Wizards throughout the post-season.

Season Highlight: The playoffs

Finishing 4^th in a talented conference with a record of 57-25 is a fantastic achievement in itself, combined with the fact that their franchise star, Leonard, spent nearly every second week on the sidelines rehabbing and preparing for the playoffs. The Knicks built a deep roster with a fantastic supporting cast led by 2^nd banana Demar Derozan.

The sky was the limit come playoffs and Kawhi returning for a healthy post-season meant the Knicks were to be feared by all. First round would see the Knicks face a promising, young Boston team who were literally �Green�- inexperienced but with plenty of talent. The league anticipated a close series most expecting Boston to take at least one game and some predicting a Boston win.

Game one set the tone for the series. A high scoring 131-138 result made for quality viewing as Leonard and Tatum went toe-to-toe willing the teams on. Depth proved to be the ultimate challenge as the game went on with the Knicks taking advantage during bench minutes. The Knicks would outwill the young Celts in game one giving the fans a preview as to what might come.

The remainder of the series saw the experience of the Knicks outwill the inexperienced Celtics. Smokey being a more seasoned GM in the post-season, worked the controls and rotations to overpower a gallant Celtics outfit. His depth and vetted stars held their nerve in all 4 games, responding to the challenge when pushed by the Celtics. The final 3 games were double digit wins for the Knicks with the young Celtics running out of answers as the series went on.

The Knicks would advance to a Conference Semi Final showdown vs the title favourite Washington Wizards.

A blockbuster showdown of Embiid, Booker and George vs Derozan and Leonard was set and arguably the two best teams in the East would be playing off prematurely for a shot at the Conference Finals. It appeared to be a coin flip on paper, however the Wizards were looking unstoppable over the backend of the season following their addition of Caruso. The Knicks were the underdogs but not by a significant margin. The feeling amongst the league was the winner would likely head through to the Finals.

An epic series played like a game of chess with home court advantage looking like a factor, had the scores tied up after 6 games, 3-3. At one stage the Knicks had the advantage needing only one win after 5 games. The double big lineup of Embiid / Capella was activated with josh getting the matchups right for game 6, ultimately proving a move too good to beat. The proverbial camel�s back was broken and the might of the Wizards could not be denied. Game 6 and 7 were blowout wins for Washington with who would prevail through the next series to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks players and management would look at the end of the season as an optimistic failure. They had the weapons to reach the finals but were probably a fraction short in at the top-end of their talent pool. Would changes be required for the next season?   

 

Trading:

GM Smokey elevated his roster through a series of moves that reduced the star power slightly but enhanced the depth significantly. Moreover, the assets piled up while the liabilities were dumped (mostly in Dallas) which is exactly what you want when trading.

 

Best Trade

New York Receive: Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler and Toronto 2024 first
Dallas Receive: Christian Wood, 2025 NY 2^nd round pick and 2026 second round pick.

A trade like this can build a franchise. Two young players who will be, at worst, career starters is a wonderful return for an expiring Christian Wood who was a 2k toilet last season. The fact that the Knicks also acquired a first-round pick from a rebuilding team is an absolute kiss on the way out the backdoor after a 3-course breakfast and bank transfer with 5 digits. What were the Mavs thinking? Yuck.

Over the course of a month or so the Mavs became a personal victim of the boa constrictor squeeze coming from New York head office. Just weeks before the above headscratcher (for Dallas), Smokey treated himself to this as well:

New York Receive: Monte Morris, Naz Reid, Jose Alvarado (received from trade exception in a standalone deal directly after) and 2026 Cle 2^nd round pick.
Dallas Receive: Rui Hachimura, 2025 Was 1^st round pick

Landing 3 role players (Naz the best in the deal from a 2k and real life stand point) with Alvarado pre-breakout was an excellent return for expiring Rui (RFA) and a late first round pick. This deal freed the Knicks up to trade portions of salary as well. A master stroke at the expense of his feeder franchise.

 

While diversifying with all the new pieces, Smokey cashed in OG Anunoby while his value was high to land another star in a deal that had the Knicks elevate to the pointy end of the Eastern Conference.

New York Receive: DeMar DeRozan, Terrance Mann
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Robert Covington, OG Anunoby, 2 x 2^nd round picks.

Replacing defence with firepower made the Knicks a genuine threat. Keeping Smart and Leonard meant the SG slot was ready for a gunner. Derozan�s combination of size and athleticism was the perfect fit though the price was high.

 

Other Notable Trades:

Pretty much every trade Smokey made last season was notable. Some were hard to analyse because they were linked in with others as well so the analysis could be partly incorrect.

New York Receive: Mason Plumlee, Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, 2023 Dal second round pick, 2024 Sac 1^st round pick (could be high lottery!)
New York Trade: Jimmy Butler, T.J. McConnell, Monte Morris, Cameron Johnson, Naz Reid, 3x 2^nd round picks, 2024 Atl first round pick (top 4 protected) and 2024 Tor first round pick.

This deal involved 5 teams and was considered an absolute blockbuster. Butler was the biggest name to leave but the return was 2 absolutely elite defenders and two quality big men. The picks seem to balance out as the 2 going out are either protected or projected late lottery or maybe even in the 18-20 range. That Sac pick heading to Smokey could end up being his 3^rd ticket to lottery success which the league would absolutely hate to see haha.

Overall it was a great trade which assisted the build around his stars who the Knicks are committed to.  

 

Worst Trade:

Not a bad trade by anyone�s standards but maybe his own, the next deal probably watered down the asset bank a little for the Knicks but barely. It could be argued the trade was a big win with the new position locks on the horizon.

New York Receive: John Collins, Christian Braun, 2023 Was 1^st round pick (pick 28)
New York Trade: Clint Capela, Trey Lyles, Drew Eubanks, 2024 Sac 1^st round pick (could be high lottery) and 2023 Dal 2^nd round pick (pick 32).

 

Draft:

Keeping a draft pick this year, late in the piece after a number of trades, Smokey selected Andre Jackson Jr (NBA Milwaukee Bucks). The Junior out of UConn is projected to be a big wing with defensive prowess. A bit of a project player who probably won�t be in the rotation much throughout this season in the NBA but has drawn comparisons to defensive stars such as Matisse Thybulle with a little bit of playmaking ability.

Without needing much more on the roster, after fleecing the league (especially Dallas) repeatedly, the Knicks added another good young piece who should evolve into exactly what you want on the wings in the 2k system- size, defence and athleticism. A good pick with minimal risk.

 

Star: Kawhi Leonard

Regular Season Averages: 20.9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.8 steals
Post Season Averages: 24.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.8 steals and 50% 3P%

There�s no doubt this is Leonard�s team and the GM has shown he backs his guy by providing depth to cover if any injuries or rest is on the agenda. Leonard is one of those stars with another gear come playoffs and he�s one of the few that you know can be good enough to take you to the promise land. He has almost everything you want in your franchise piece and the parts he doesn�t have, GM Smokey has covered expertly by up trading.

 

Flop: All players performed well or they were traded away

 

The Future:

The Knicks will enter 2023-24 season as one of the top 6 favourites to win it all, especially if Free Agency shakes out favourably. They don�t really require much at all, boasting the deepest roster in the league and a treasure chest of future first round picks. The

 

Projected Line Up for 2023-24

C:  Walker Kessler
PF: Demar Derozan
SF: Kawhi Leonard
SG:  Derrick White
PG: Chris Paul
Bench: Cole Anthony, Zach Collins, Josh Hart, Mason Plumlee

Good luck to Gm Smokey and his squad for the upcoming season. The Knicks will be my tip for the Eastern Conference and if the squad is healthy, they might be my pick to win it all. Good luck to this OG GM and top bloke to boot. I hope you�ve sobered up from the Collingwood Grand Final Win but not enough to not fumble at the controls this Free Agency.