New York Knicks Rumors: 2 Players Who Definitely Won't Be Back Next Season

The New York Knicks returned to prominence this season and made a nice little run in the playoffs, largely thanks to their big addition last summer, Jalen Brunson.

This offseason, they'll be trying to add further to the squad, but in so doing, they'll have to subtract some salary to make those additions. Two players who were complete after-thoughts for coach Tom Thibodeau this season will definitely not be back:

Evan Fournier

The 11-year veteran was a walking "DNP-CD" (Did Not Play–Coach's Decision) this season. Thibs only saw fit to get Fournier into 27 games, and the veteran swingman knows full well what the offseason holds for him:

“This officially is the end, but my season was over a long time ago,” Fournier said after the Knicks bowed out. “It took me a good month to understand that. At first, I was like, ‘Just be patient in seeing how the team developed. Obviously, there are gonna be changes and I’m gonna get traded.

"You know I’m not gonna be back,” Fournier reiterated. “There’s no way they’re gonna keep me. I would be very surprised if they do... I didn’t play this year, so why would you bring me back?”

He's owed $18.9M for next season with an expiring contract, and that kind of contract can help bring in a high-priced veteran that the coach actually wants to play.

Derrick Rose

Another player who spent the majority of the season on the end of the bench, Rose got into only two games after the turn of the calendar to 2023. The Knicks hold a $15.6M team option for next season and clearly won't be using it.

The team obviously had some young guards step up big-time this past season, and they're the future. The arrival of Brunson, plus the rise of Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes leaves no backcourt minutes for an aging veteran. 

Rose will re-enter free agency going into his age-35 season. 

Photo: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports