No matter what happens on Thursday, one offseason goal for the Knicks seems clear: People in touch with the team say New York hopes to maintain enough cap flexibility to pursue top free agents in 2022.

Source: Ian Begley/SNY

ANALYSIS: Begley specifically mentioned that the 2022 free-agent class includes dynamic scorers Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine. The Knicks could have over $50 million in cap space to work with this offseason.

Our Alex Kennedy recently wrote about the 2022 free-agent class.

"If all of the stars hit the market, it’ll probably be the best free-agent class ever," one NBA agent told BasketballNews.com. "If that happens, the balance of power would likely shift immensely once again.”

In addition to Beal and LaVine, the 2022 class could include Kevin Durant, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Julius Randle, Jrue Holiday, Russell Westbrook and John Wall, among others.

As for restricted free agents, the list could include Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Michael Porter Jr., Deandre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Collin Sexton and Mikal Bridges (although some of those players will surely be extended around the start of the 2021-22 season).