The focus should be signing Kyrie or Kemba (2 most likely free agents in my opinion) and getting to the playoffs. Running with a core of KP, one of the 2 above, Frank, Knox, Hardaway, and 2019 lottery pick.
Once Hardaway comes off the books in 2021, sign the max free agent that elevates us to a contender. Example would be.
C Porzingis
F Giannis
F Knox
G Ntilikina
G Irving or Kemba
2019 1st
2020 1st
2021 1st
And hope a couple of our 2nd round pick (dotson, Mitchell, etc) pan out into solid role players too.
No other big contracts.