Getty New Orleans Pelicans forward Julius Randle
The New York Knicks suffered initial disappointment on the opening day of free agency. While the Brooklyn Nets snagged both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, Knicks fans were flabbergasted.
What was expected to bring the franchise back to its glory days, slipped away like a Thanos snap of the finger.
Luckily the Knicks did not fold and the team signed aging vets past their prime.
Instead, New York inked a slew of hard-working role players and by doing so also obtained team options in the final year of those contracts.
It’s likely that the New York Knicks won’t be title contenders this year and the NBA’s Eastern Conference is quite competitive. Knicks head coach, David Fizdale will have a bunch of guys to work with and this will be a huge test for him. Acquisitions will continue in the offseason, but here’s an early look at the potential rotation:
PG: Dennis Smith Jr., Elfrid Payton
SG: R.J. Barrett, Allonzo Trier
SF: Kevin Knox, Reggie Bullock
PF: Julius Randle, Taj Gibson, Noah Vonleh
C: Mitchell Robinson, Bobby Portis
Mary Altaffer / Associated Press
Frank Ntilikina spent much of last season hampered by injury, will once again be competing for minutes. His defensive awareness and capability have always stood out. Now it’s time to see if he’s taken the next step offensively.
Overall, the Knicks sport a young team that should be able to get up and down the floor. There are obvious defensive concerns, but Coach Fizdale will have to implement good schemes to keep everyone active.
GettyNew York Knicks huddle
Randle is coming off career bests in points per game (21.4), field goal attempts per game (14.9) and three-point percentage per game (34.4) as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. He will look to continue some of that productivity with this team. Outside of Randle, the offense should be free-flowing with teammates getting each other involved. It’s imperative the young guys continue to get reps to prepare themselves for the future.
“It’s a dream come true to me,’’ Julius Randle said yesterday at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Being able to be the face of this iconic franchise. I had a lot of options. I felt this opportunity for me was the greatest opportunity. The whole fan base that’s staving and hungry to win more than [any team] in the NBA. I don’ think there’s a better place in the NBA to win than the Knicks.
“I feel it was a no-brainer.
“Every day I wake up, I pinch myself because I’m excited.”
In order for this team to not be an embarrassment, they’re counting on Barrett to be productive while Knox and Mitchell improve from their rookie seasons. As a borderline League Pass team, the Knicks development will be a sight to see all season long.