The New York Knicks are currently rebuilding their roster. They have already added young talent, including rookie RJ Barton, who is expected make his debut in January. The Knicks also added Kentucky product Immanuel Quickley, who is a 6-foot-3 guard. He is still a developing player but already looks like a steal. Other recent additions include Austin Rivers, Alec Burks, and Nerlens Noel. They also parted ways from veteran players like Bobby Portis and Maurice Harkless.
There are several young players to watch, as well as veteran players such as Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is the longest-tenured Knick, and brings a veteran presence to the young team. He is a skilled shooter and a solid defender. His athleticism and defense make him a potential starter at point guard. He will likely spend time in the G-League to sharpen his game.
Jericho Sims is another player to watch for Knicks. He was taken with the 58th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. At six-foot-10, Sims could get a legit role if one of the bigs is traded. During the Draft Combine in Chicago, Sims impressed the Knicks.
The 2018-2019 season saw the addition of several new players to the Knicks roster, in addition to Porzingis. They also traded Melo to the Oklahoma City Thunder in order to free up cap space for free agents. Barrett, who was injured during the 2017-2018 season, is a versatile scorer and can serve as a facilitator. He could be an All-Star for many years. However, the Knicks have a critical off-season ahead of him. They have been linked with some high-profile free agents.
Hardaway is a sharpshooter. He averaged 17.5 points per game last season despite missing a month with a leg injury. However, he still has room to improve his defense. He is a good perimeter player but can be streaky. His defensive ability has to improve if he is to stay on the Knicks’ roster. He will likely compete for playing time next season.
A number of new players are part of the 2018-2019 roster for New York Knicks. After trading for Marcus Morris, the team stacked the frontcourt with big men. Morris, who was previously the team’s top scorer, is now a backup small forward, which is not optimal for his strengths. Reggie Bullock and Mitchell Robinson are also big men on the team, as is Julius Randle. Wayne Ellington has suffered from claustrophobia because he was forced to share the frontcourt with these players.
The Knicks also made a coaching change during the offseason. After being the president of basketball operations, and the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tom Thibodeau was hired as the Knicks’ head coach. Thibodeau’s background and experience can help him deal with the high pressure environment in New York. The Knicks will also feature Elfrid Payton, who had a breakout year last year, and RJ Barrett, who is expected to make a significant impact in the lineup.