The New York Knicks are venturing forward towards training camp with several questions looming over the starting roster. The signing of numerous veteran free agents will undoubtedly help the Knicks and their playoff-contending hopes.
However, they were for forced to dip into the second tier free agent maker after missing out on Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. The Knicks, though, are in a good position with their youth and have solid momentum as they continue to rebuild their team. The focus now should be on solving the remaining issues and providing answers to essential questions.
Here are three questions the New York Knicks must answer:
1.) Do the Knicks have an identity
Realistically, the Knicks don’t have a real identity, but they are laying the groundwork to develop one. The upcoming season will allow them to play themselves into a personality and solidify chemistry between the veterans and youth players. Options like Julius Randle and Marcus Morris will be essential to the growth of the team and will also help players like Kevin Knox and RJ Barrett reach their potential. Another significant factor in their progression is head coach David Fizdale, who lost several games early because of late-game flops and was at the head of a 17-win season last year.
The team’s offense was lackluster, the defense was nonexistent, and they couldn’t win it home with their fans cheering them on. Now, he must navigate how to help his team help themselves and piece together a quality starting lineup.
2.) Is Kevin Knox the real deal?
After a historically bad rookie season, Kevin Knox is looking to take his game to another level. He would likely play small forward for the Knicks in his second season in the NBA, but his struggles will remain to a certain degree. Giving up on the 20-year-old would be foolish at this point, considering he added essential muscle mass and worked on his jump shot to elevate his game. The Knicks signed several forwards this off-season complicating Knox‘s future and available playing time. Carving out a role for Knox should be a priority, though, considering his youth and what he’s capable of.
3.) Who should start at point guard?
The consensus is that Dennis Smith Jr. will be the starting point guard for the Knicks during the 2019-20 season. However, his scoring production has been lackluster over in the first two seasons of his career. He has averaged just 14.5 points per game, and his assistant totals are incredibly disappointing. In comparison to newly signed point guard, Elfrid Payton, his numbers don’t necessarily match up.
Payton averaged 10.6 points, 7.6 assists, and 9.3 total rebounds per game in 2018. He’s a solid all-around player while Smith is more of an elite athlete. Smith has the capability and skillset to develop into an above-average point guard in the NBA, but unlocking those abilities is the challenge.
He was frustrated as a part of the Dallas Mavericks, and New York offers a fresh start but also a significant challenge. The Fanbase in New York is brutal and will criticize a player at every corner. I wouldn’t rule the potential of Elfrid starting the season; however, I do not believe the Knicks will compromise the potential of Smith Jr. moving forward.