What do the New York Knicks have to do to improve this offseason?

The NBA playoffs were a disappointment for the New York Knicks, who got bounced in five games in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks. Despite sweeping the Hawks during the regular season, the Knicks found themselves outmatched as Atlanta's talent advantage materialized in a big way on the offensive end.

While the season was a big success for the Knicks, who overachieved significantly compared to preseason expectations, the bar has now been raised going forward. Let's take a look at a few big questions the Knicks have to answer throughout the offseason.

Julius Randle's contract

The biggest surprise of the season for the Knicks was Randle, who made dramatic improvements with his jump shot and playmaking ability to earn the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Randle thrived hitting contested jumpers during the regular season, something that (perhaps predictably) evaporated in the playoffs with the Hawks opting to focus on shutting him down.

The poor postseason showing complicates the Knicks' decision about Randle, who is entering the final year of his contract. The Knicks could offer Randle a four-year extension worth $106 million now although he could opt to play out his contract and become eligible for a five-year deal worth just over $200 million after next season.

This series made clear that Randle can't be the no. 1 option on a championship contender but he is a big part of the reason the Knicks even made the playoffs. Figuring out how to evaluate Randle's worth going forward is a top priority for Leon Rose this offseason.

The pending free agents

The Knicks got a lot from a relatively rag-tag group of players, including role players like Reggie Bullock, Alec Burks, Derrick Rose and Nerlens Noel. The group played hard but their talent gap was exposed against a more dynamic team, making the option of simply bringing the gang back together an unlikely one if the goal is to make progress.

Bullock has a role as a three-and-D player who worked well with Randle so retaining him figures to be a priority. Rose indicated today that he wants to stay in New York but it isn't his call, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports, and it might come down to a matter of resource allocation as the Knicks pursue upgrades at guard.

Keeping Rose and Bullock would be smart moves while the Knicks pursue more shooting. Taj Gibson also figures to be a cheap retention as a glue guy down low but the Knicks need to be in a position where he isn't taking a ton of minutes in the playoffs.

Where to pursue talent upgrades

The one thing that was abundantly clear throughout the Hawks series was the difference in offensive firepower between the two teams. Atlanta had an endless lineup of quality shooters who could create off the dribble while the Knicks had none, a major problem that they need to fix.

Finding a lead guard is a priority but identifying the right fit is tricky. The Knicks could make a big play for Kyle Lowry on a front-loaded one-year deal or push for Chris Paul if he opts to leave Phoenix but those deals would be bandaids. Lonzo Ball is an intriguing option as an ascending player who can run the offense but the Knicks need to do a better job surrounding Randle and R.J. Barrett with shooting.

This is an area the Knicks will also look to add cheaply too in the draft either by identifying talent that is undervalued, like they did with Immanuel Quickley this season, or using their two picks to trade for a player who can start right now. Finding shooters who can help space the floor would be huge for Randle, who was swallowed up by multiple Hawks defenders every time he touched the ball since they weren't afraid of anyone else as a playmaker.