The New York Knicks have aligned their off-season strategy almost completely to the summer of 2019. Until then Kristaps Porzingis, the new coach David Fizdale, Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox should collect enough arguments to bring at least one big fish to New York. Many games the Knicks will not win again.
As early as the beginning of May, the Knicks filled the vacant position of head coach: David Fizdale took over for the hapless Jeff Hornacek, who had been released by the Grizzlies in November. Fizdale signed a four-year contract at the Big Apple.
A lot also happened with the squad as a result. In the draft, New York moved to position 9 Small Forward Kevin Knox, and Center Mitchell Robinson, who has now also signed his professional day, came to position 36.
Enes Kanter took his player option for $18.6 million as expected, just like Ron Baker (4.5 million). Kyle O’Quinn, on the other hand, let his (4.3 million) pass and instead signed with the Pacers for almost the same amount. Troy Williams was armed and went to New Orleans, Michael Beasley signed a contract with the Lakers.
Apart from the rookies, the following players were added: Mario Hezonja (1 year, 6.5 million), Noah Vonleh (1, 1.6) and Kadeem Allen, whose contract for 1.3 million is not guaranteed. Luke Kornet was held for a year and $1.6 million.
Team President Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry entered the offseason with a clear focus. First of all, a respected coach should be brought in, who can shape the team according to his ideas. And then it was primarily a matter of not tying up any further long-term costs and focusing on the summer of 2019.
New York did not have much room for manoeuvre right from the start, because they still have too many high earners a la Kanter and Joakim Noah on their backs. It is to be expected that Noah’s contract will be cancelled before the season by stretch commission and that Courtney Lee, who is still under contract in 2019/20, will be looking for another trade.
For the time being, however, the Knicks are not under much pressure, because without Kristap’s porzingis (cruciate ligament rupture) they are simply too bad to register ambitions. Therefore, in the coming season there will be primary attempts to accustom the hopefuls Knox, Robinson, Frank Ntilikina and at some point Porzingis to Fizdale’s system and culture.
Ideally, this core will be attractive enough in the summer of 2019 for one or two free agents (Butler? Irving? Durant?) to bring their talents to Manhattan. Another lottery pick should also be part of this equation if the Knicks miss the playoffs again, as expected.
The newcomers and last year’s Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke have a year to show that they fit into Fizdale’s system. Now there are only nine players under contract in 2019, but the expected Noah exit and possible trades could make it even less. So even if stars should come, the Knicks will have to fill up their squad.
It’s not that easy to make a choice here. Looking at last season’s figures, New York was really good in just one respect: the offensive rebound rate, with fifth place, thanks mainly to Kanter and O’Quinn. Apart from that, the Knicks were an offensively and defensively below average team after Porzingis dropped out. And also in the 48 games with them they had a negative result with 22-26.
Offensively it was missing thereby above all at an organizing hand. Individual talent is certainly given in some positions, but a clever playmaker who can promote and use this was not to be seen – and one may also doubt that Mudiay, Burke (still most likely?) or Ntilikina will manage this in this season.
At least at the litter selection Fizdale should change a lot quickly. Last season only one team had a lower triple rate and only two teams went to the free-throw line less frequently. The hope must be that Knox and Hezonja can provide some remedy here.
However, the two of them again show a problem of the Knicks, with which they can currently live: As long as Porzzingi is not fit, they have barely proven, seasoned NBA players in their squad. That’s why you shouldn’t expect huge jumps in offense or defense too quickly.
The mood in the Big Apple is nevertheless relatively positive and this is mainly due to the two rookies. Knox has already impressed in the Summer League with his scoring potential and versatility, but second-round pick Robinson also indicated that he was an interesting NBA player.
One year ago, the center was still considered one of the top talents of his class, but after not playing in college and instead training individually, he fell far behind and finally embraced Knicks. At 20 years of age he is still raw in some areas, but already a sensational athlete who is also able to stay ahead of smaller opponents after the switch.
Robinson will still need much time, in the Summer League he didn’t even hit 50 percent of his free throws. But the Knicks believe in his potential and directly gave him part of their mid-level exception for a four-year contract. Mills and Co. hope that he can be a suitable front court partner for Knox and Porzingis in the near future.
All of the Knicks’ decisions in the summer, starting with the Fizdale commitment, were understandable and the conscious decision not to enter into long-term contracts was the right one. There wouldn’t have been the one move they could have attacked this summer anyway, so flexibility was the top priority. If Hezonja, Burke or Mudiay should earn themselves through top-season follow-up contracts, all the better.
At the same time, it is also clear that the Knicks will have to be judged by the way Knox and Ntilikina act, and they do not have the slightest guarantee that next year will really bite a big fish. Porzzingi was not even under long-term contract, although next year at the latest his Restricted Free Agency will change.
Nevertheless, the Knicks’ strategy cannot be properly evaluated until next year at the earliest. This summer was a good one in a vacuum, but Mills and Co. still have the real tasks ahead.
The grade: 3+