The Knicks took a cautious approach in free agency, handing out a series of a modest one-year deals to role players.
It panned out sensationally as the Knicks registered a 41-31 regular-season record. But the tab is soon due.
Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock, Nerlens Noel, Taj Gibson and Elfrid Payton could suit up in a Knicks uniform for the final time Wednesday at the Garden for Game 5, when the Knicks will try to stay alive, trailing 3-1 in their first-round series versus the Hawks.
Another loss and they become free agents — some of whom will be due decent-sized raises on their next contracts when free agency begins Aug. 1.
Here’s their future prospects — in alphabetical order:
Reggie Bullock
The starting shooting guard all season helped his market value significantly after the club re-upped on his $4.2 million team option. With his “3-and-D’’ prowess on a winning team, NBA executives believe Bullock likely will be had for the mid-level exception (up to $9 million-$10 million). One source said the 30-year-old prefers a four-year package.
Bullock’s playoff has been disappointing, struggling in a cross-match battle with the diminutive Trae Young. Bullock has shot the ball well from deep only in Game 2 (4 of 7) — not coincidently the Knicks’ lone win. Bullock is their X factor. With his early-Bird rights, the Knicks can go over the salary cap and sign him to higher than the mid-level. And why not? He usually makes a strong two-man tandem with Julius Randle. The Baltimore native embodies New York toughness — almost too tough for his own good. The team’s “unsung hero’’ should be back.
Alec Burks
The former Jazzman wasn’t high on their free-agent list, but former Jazz assistant Johnnie Bryant pushed hard for the swingman. It’s been a great fit, but their insistence on force-feeding him the backup point guard role is backfiring. He’s been smooth-as-silk from 3-point range (41.5 percent) and has a sweet pull-up, too. They don’t have his early-Bird rights, so a mid-level offer from another team could mean the end of his Knicks stint. A two-year deal would’ve been shrewder for the Knicks — as it turns out — than the one-year, $6 million contract he accepted in November.
Taj Gibson
He’s emerged as the starting center after the Knicks began the season without him, and he has provided invaluable playoff experience. If Tom Thibodeau wants him back, which he always does, he’ll be back — as there won’t much of a market for Gibson, who turns 36 before next season. The gritty Brooklynite is arguably the smartest defender in the NBA.
Nerlens Noel
The one-time 76ers lottery pick is now backing up Gibson because of ankle issues and hasn’t been effective in the playoffs. He’s been a gift because of Mitchell Robinson’s injuries — a shot-blocking warrior. His lack of size has hurt in this series. If the Knicks make a long-term extension commitment to Robinson this summer, Noel is expendable if another teams offers him the mid-level. The Knicks don’t have his early-Bird rights and will likely choose not to eat up cap space to get him back after inking him to a team-friendly one-year, $5 million pact. Another case in which the Knicks should’ve gone two years. For a guy who once turned down a $70 million deal in Dallas, Noel is looking to get paid.
Elfrid Payton
Payton lost his starting point guard job in Game 3 of the playoffs — and didn’t play in Games 3 or 4. His slump down the stretch was eye-opening and may hurt his market value. But Payton still is a serviceable backup point guard but it won’t be in New York. The New Orleans native who has 17 career triple-doubles would be terrific pickup for the Pelicans, who could lose Lonzo Ball to free agency. Payton needs a change of scenery.
Derrick Rose
He’s the reason the Knicks earned the fourth seed. Their 32-year-old point guard loves New York and Thibodeau, and he wants to stay. Rose seems to plays his best under Thibodeau, which is a reputation Rose prefers to shake if he’s on the free-agent market. The Knick want to bring him back, but preferably as their backup point guard. Rose is shooting 50.7 percent in this series — his teammates 34 percent.