After reaching their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2000, the New York Knicks fell to the Indiana Pacers and now face a pivotal offseason filled with tough decisions, including the futures of several free agents.
With four players set to hit the open market, the Knicks’ salary discussion looms large. Who should the Knicks retain, and who should they let walk?
Players to move
Precious Achiuwa
Acquired in the trade that brought OG Anunoby to New York, Precious Achiuwa appeared in the final 49 games of the 2023–24 season and spent the entire 2024–25 campaign with the Knicks.
Achiuwa made an immediate impact following the deal, averaging 7.6 points on 52.5% shooting with 7.2 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game. His production dipped in 2024–25, posting 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 50.2% in 20.5 minutes.
However, Achiuwa was a non-factor in the postseason, failing to log more than 10 minutes in any playoff game, a key reason the Knicks should opt to move on from him this offseason.
Cameron Payne
Signed to a one-year deal worth just over $3 million last offseason, Cameron Payne served as a solid depth option for the Knicks during the regular season.
He averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 assists in 15.1 minutes per game, shooting 36.3% from three-point range.
However, Payne struggled mightily in the postseason, averaging just 2.1 points and 0.6 assists in 7.3 minutes, while shooting 32.4% overall and 23.8% from three-point range.
Given his playoff performance and age (set to turn 31 in August), the Knicks should move on from Payne and prioritize expanding the role of younger guards, such as Deuce McBride.
Players to retain
Delon Wright
Acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline, Delon Wright delivered when called upon for the Knicks.
With the guard rotation depleted, Wright stepped in and started five games, helping New York to a 4–1 record. During the regular season, he averaged 4.3 points and 2.1 assists in 16.4 minutes per game while providing steady defense.
Though out of the rotation for much of the playoffs, Wright re-entered during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. He posted an average of 8.0 minutes and 1.2 points per game in the series, including an impressive plus-11 in Game 4.
Wright, 33, should be retained as a reliable veteran presence who can contribute off the bench when needed.
Landry Shamet
Signed to a modest one-year deal last offseason, Landry Shamet proved to be a reliable depth option for the Knicks, much like Wright.
Shamet averaged 5.7 points in 15.2 minutes per game during the regular season, shooting 46.1% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, he earned praise from the fanbase for his scrappy defense and knocked down seven three-pointers across four games, solidifying his role in the rotation late in the series.
Shamet brings exactly what the Knicks need off the bench: defensive energy and consistent shooting from beyond the arc.
