The New York Knicks have elevated hopes for the 2019-20 season after drafting RJ Barrett and signing multiple veterans to helps increase their chances of success. Signing Julius Randle and Marcus Morris gives the Knicks hope that they can be a competitive team, despite the plentiful amount of youth and inexperience on the roster.
Two players that will have a significant impact moving forward are Allonzo Trier and Mitchell Robinson. Both have worked tirelessly to improve their game — specifically, Trier on his three-ball and Robinson on his offensive production and decreasing of fouls.
According to SNY, the New York Knicks pair answered questions about the season ahead:
“Just come in and be better,” Trier said. “Obviously, there’s no question that we have more talent across the board, which can always be more helpful. Now it will be on us to execute Coach Fizdale’s plan for us and to come together and find a way to be a better basketball team, which there should be no excuse for with the talent that we have coming into this season. It will be a great opportunity for us.”
While it takes time to develop chemistry with new teammates, the veteran leadership should prove to be influential and help the Knicks break the 17-win benchmark they set for themselves last year.
Robinson stated: “Just to bond with (new teammates), to grow with them. Hopefully we’ll be teammates for a long time…. They don’t know how I play, I don’t know how they play. We’ve played against eachother. When training camp starts, (we’ll) just grind together and get that connection.”
The Knicks signed a majority of their more lucrative veterans to two-year deals with a team option, which puts the organization in an excellent position to clear cap-space and pursue a superstar. However, it isn’t necessarily a positive thing for the rookies and sophomores as the turnover on the roster will force them to continue adapting to different styles of play.