The aftermath of the Phil Jackson era has left the New York Knicks in a very strange place in today’s NBA. After a decade of rash decisions including awful contracts and questionable draft picks, the Knicks find themselves with one of the youngest teams in the league, cap space for a max-level signing in the offseason, and all of their future first round draft picks. With youth and potential found in the current roster, the Knicks must choose the right path to go down as David Fizdale, Steve Mills and Scott Perry await the return of their injured star power forward Kristaps Porzingis. In this article, I’ll discuss the three steps I believe are necessary for keeping this newfound, bright future of Madison Square Garden alive.
What should the plan be for the 2018-2019 season?
1. Maximize all minutes for the rookies and sophomores
A team that was starting Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carmelo Anthony just two years, the Knickerbockers have finally rid themselves of the massive contracts of players past their prime. The loss of Kristaps Porzingis hurts the value of the team overall, but these openings in the starting lineup allows for the draft picks of the past 4 years to excel in larger roles. These players include:
- Kevin Knox (2018 first round pick)
- Mitchell Robinson (2018 second round pick)
- Allonzo Trier (2018 undrafted free agent)
- Frank Ntilikina (2017 first round pick)
- Damyean Dotson (2017 second round pick)
- Luke Kornet (2017 undrafted free agent)
- Isaiah Hicks (2017 undrafted free agent)
- Mario Hezonja (Orlando’s 2015 first round pick)
- Noah Vonleh (Portland’s 2014 first round pick)
Each of these players is 24 years old or younger on a team in which David Fizdale is giving ample opportunity for every player to become a necessary piece to the roster. A mix of Knicks draft picks and former first rounders trying to find their place in the NBA opens up an interesting competition to become contributors for future Knicks teams. Without a star player in Porzingis leading the way, the stress of making the playoffs is no longer in the minds of these young players and therefore, improvement in both team chemistry and individual performance arises for one of the youngest teams in the NBA. As much as the youth of this team is important, the remaining veterans must also be tested to see how they will fit on this roster.
2. Find the true worth of the veterans
As much as it has been important for the young New York players to grow, the grit and ineptitude of the Knicks’ veterans must be tested in order to find who can lead this young team through their growing pains. Value on the court and contractual expenses must be taken into account when dealing with these veterans, such as:
- Tim Hardaway Jr. (26 years old, 3 years/$54.5 million remaining on his contract)
- Courtney Lee (33 years old, 2 years/$25 million remaining on his contract)
- Lance Thomas (30 years old, 2 years/$15 million remaining on his contract)
- Enes Kanter (26 years old, 1 year/$18.4 million remaining on his contract)
- Ron Baker (25 years old, 1 year/$4.5 million remaining on his contract)
- Emmanuel Mudiay (22 years old, 1 year/$4.3 million remaining on his contract)
- Trey Burke (25 years old, 1 year/$1.8 million remaining on his contract)
Both Kanter, averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, and Hardaway, averaging 26 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game, seem to have solidified themselves in their starting roles for the future, but things can change at a moment’s notice. Mitchell Robinson, though early in the season, has shown early sparks of stardom and has catapulted himself into the starting lineup in recent games. This leaves a question mark on whether it would be worthy to re-sign Kanter to a long term, eight-figure deal. As for Hardaway, he has grown into a true leader for the team and his scoring is necessary at the moment for the Knicks to win games this season.
The biggest question for the remaining veterans is all about how they fit into the team. Lee and Thomas, the oldest members of the team, leave much to be desired when playing and it asks the question, “Is leadership on the bench and minimal production on the court worth spending millions on said players?” The young guards Baker, Mudiay and Burke have this season alone to prove they are worth keeping around. If draft capital or outstanding players can be gained from trading any of these players, I believe it is worth pulling the trigger in order to put together a team that suits Kristaps Porzingis, the most important upcoming free agent.
3. Give Kristaps Porzingis the tools to be a successful star and leader amid his return
Last but certainly not least, the impending restricted free agency of Kristaps Porzingis is the most important storyline regarding the Knicks. The first two steps are pivotal to allowing Kristaps to thrive as the star of New York, but key free agent pickups and intelligent drafting will keep KP content with the state of the team. The drama of Phil Jackson’s management has come and gone, and now Perry and Fizdale must make their case to the Latvian standout. Some players I believe the Knicks should be exceptionally interested in include:
Free Agents
- Kyrie Irving (Celtics unrestricted free agent, career averages of 22 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 5.5 APG)
- Kemba Walker (Hornets unrestricted free agent, career averages of 19.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 5.4 APG)
- Klay Thompson (Warriors unrestricted free agent, career averages of 19.6 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 2.3 APG)
- Kevin Durant (Warriors unrestricted free agent, career averages of 27.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 4 APG)
- Jimmy Butler (Timberwolves unrestricted free agent, career averages of 16.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 3.4 APG)
Upcoming Draftees
- R.J. Barrett (Duke freshman guard/forward, 18 years old)
- Cameron Reddish (Duke freshman guard/forward, 18 years old)
- Zion Williamson (Duke freshman forward, 18 years old)
- Quentin Grimes (Kansas freshman guard, 18 years old)
- Kevin Porter Jr. (USC freshman guard, 18 years old
These 10 prospective talents, whether it be adding an All-Star or two from today’s NBA or adding the potential superstars of the future with a high pick in the draft, should give Kristaps Porzingis insight into how the new regime will raise the Knicks from the ashes. No longer will the Knicks be known as the laughing stock of the NBA, but they will become a growing powerhouse that will allow basketball in New York and in Madison Square Garden to bloom once again.
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