The New York Knicks have a lot of options when deciding their starting lineup. For what we know now, Dennis Smith Jr., Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson are locks to start. The other two spots are up for grabs.
There was a discussion, inside Empire Sports Media, about who would start between Kevin Knox and Marcus Morris. It all depends on what type of system David Fizdale wants to run. Taking the offensive attack and up-tempo, you go Knox. A more defensive, gritty approach, Morris gets the nod.
If you were to start Morris over Knox, the final spot should go to RJ Barrett. Barrett would be able to spread the floor and create his shot with Morris in the lineup. Plus, Barrett is trying to prove the doubters wrong and help turn the Knicks around. If Knox started, Daymean Dotson would be the preferred choice. Dot would also spread the floor, while providing positives on both sides of the floor. Dotson would be a upgrade in defense as compared to Barrett, for now.
You can even throw Frank Ntilikina in the fire to provide more lock down defending. If the season does not go according to plan, Fizdale should consider starting Ntilikina since his play and confidence seems to be growing throughout the FIBA World Cup.
However, the most balanced Knicks starting lineup should consist of, Smith Jr., Ntilikina, Knox, Randle and Robinson. Frank and Mitchell provide the elite defending on the floor, with the rest also holding their own. Randle is the number one scoring option and Knox and Smith Jr. take the offensive leap everyone is hoping for. The Knicks will have players to get points this season. The area of concern is being able to sustain consistent defense from start to finish.
Some, well many, believe the Knicks are not going to be a good team this season. When you really break it down, the Knicks have the foundations as a team to be very good and successful for years to come. This could be the start of the come-up for the New York Knicks.