
The New York Knicks made significant efforts to bolster their team this offseason by signing Julius Randle and Marcus Morris, but the catalyst to success during the 2019-20 season is ultimately rookie, RJ Barrett.
The Duke star enters the team with high expectations, despite struggling during Summer League play. He’s a prolific scorer that will earn starting minutes in hopes of him adapting to the speed and physicality of the NBA. Struggles are imminent, and he will see his fair share throughout the regular season, but his influence needs to be positive for the Knicks to reach the playoffs.
Is it too optimistic to believe the Knicks can realistically make a playoff appearance next season? Or are we doomed for another lackluster display of inefficient scoring and lousy defense?
Aside from Barrett succeeding being an absolute necessity for the Knicks to have a good year, multiple other factors must align for them to make a surprise postseason appearance. The most significant is that their youth players must take a considerable step forward.
Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson, and Dennis Smith Jr. must all have productive campaigns. Both Robinson and Knox look prepared to elevate their game, and Smith Jr. has worked tirelessly to improve his jump shot and perimeter efficiency. Trier has refined his three-point shooting and will look to attempt more shots from behind the arc next season.
The improvement of these five players will ultimately be an essential part of the Knicks winning games consistently. Another crucial piece to the puzzle will be Julius Randle, who the knicks signed not only to be their most effective scorer but a de-facto leader as well.
As the consensus best player on the Knicks, Randle has plenty of expectation to live up to, and it will start on the offensive side of the ball. The Knicks have the talent to be a playoff-caliber team, but they have too much inexperience and youth to guarantee they can be a contender.