Boomer: Next Knicks choices will either take team to next level or 'set them back five years'
The Knicks have some important choices to make after their most successful season in 24 years, and Boomer says those choices should begin with signing the head coach to a contract extension, as Tom Thibodeau prepares for the final year under his current deal.
"First and foremost, they have to extend Tom Thibodeau," Boomer said. "A two-year or three-year extension is definitely there for him."
As for the roster, there are several players eligible for contract extensions like Julius Randle, or important free agents like Isaiah Hartenstein. Boomer would like to see them all back.
"I'd like to see Julius back playing with OG Anunoby, with Hartenstein, with Josh Hart," Boomer said. "You also have [to sign] Anunoby."
Still, those extensions would come with risks, as Randle will be coming off shoulder surgery and has yet to replicate his undeniable regular season success in the postseason. Meanwhile, Anunoby transformed the Knicks this season and has championship experience, but carries a lengthy injury history dating back to his days in Toronto. The decisions that will be made by Leon Rose and company this summer could be the ones that determine whether this year's success was the start of something bigger, or the tease before an unexpected decline.
"This is where these decisions really come down to, this is going to either set the franchise on the right path to continue having competitive basketball and a potential championship," Boomer said. "Or one or two bad decisions out of this group of guys could basically hamstring this franchise for the next five years."
















