The current Knicks core, which the team presumably intends to keep around, is clear. Via the New York Newsday:
Tom Thibodeau has raised the value of some players that the Knicks might have considered trade bait not long ago, impressively enough that it’s hard to imagine any deal that would include Julius Randle or RJ Barrett. And with those two off the table, the Knicks best assets are a surplus of draft picks, salary cap space to absorb an unwanted contract and a handful of useful veterans and still young enough to be valued players who have yet to find their place. Austin Rivers, with no role right now and a cap-friendly contract, and Frank Ntilikina, with free agency looming and a pricey cap hold, are the most likely Knicks to move on.
The Knicks are 22-22 this season, which ties them with the Heat and Hornets for the 5th best record in the Eastern conference.
Randle is averaging 23.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game this season, while Barrett is putting up 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists. No one else on the team is scoring as much as 13 ppg.
