The most obvious need on the Knicks roster is to turn. RJ Barrett finished 8th in the Rookie of the Year vote and was left out of both All-Rookie teams despite high expectations for the start of the season. It could be argued that the most limiting factor for 2019’s third overall pick was the spacing around him. It was difficult for Barrett to thrive in formations that obstructed his path to the basket and offered little support in the form of outside shots.
There are several free agents on the market that could instantly help the Knicks improve their distance between floors. A more obvious example is the former Knick Danilo Gallinari. At 32, Gallo has only improved his shooting during his career. He finished in the top 20 of the championship with a three-point accuracy in the past two seasons.
New York could also try to steal Joe Harris from the Nets, hoping that a competitive offer would make it hard for Brooklyn to match given their luxury tax position.
With plenty of rooftop space, the Knicks can afford to overpay for a veteran shooter, especially a short-term deal, if it means adding a player who can play on the wing alongside their young core pieces in Mitchell Robinson and RJ Barrett.
Some off-season decisions are complicated, this one isn’t. The Knicks need to shoot. There are many interesting options on the free agent market. They just need to go out and spend their money on someone who knows how to consistently put the ball in the circle from the perimeter.