Because the Knicks get set to open coaching camp, right here’s the rundown of what to observe for this season:
Finest battle
Who will begin at capturing guard, defensively challenged veteran Evan Fournier or inexperienced second-year participant Quentin Grimes? Will probably be one of many main choices of coaching camp, notably after Grimes was so spectacular in the course of the Las Vegas Summer season League.
Most intriguing rookie
The Knicks handed on the primary spherical of the draft, making a sequence of trades to release cap area and add draft picks for the approaching years. They wound up with only one choice within the second spherical (forty second general), and used it on Duke one-and-done guard Trevor Keels, who's unlikely to have a lot of a task this season.
Story to observe develop
The primary draft choose of the Leon Rose period, Obi Toppin, made progress final 12 months in a restricted function, however there will not be a lot room for the athletic 6-foot-9 ahead to develop after the Knicks introduced again middle Mitchell Robinson and added large man Isaiah Hartenstein. Toppin’s match on this roster, so long as head coach Tom Thibodeau stays hesitant to play him alongside Julius Randle, is unsure.
Coach’s hardest problem
There's stress on Thibodeau, after his second season resulted in a dismal 37-win marketing campaign. That stress is to a minimum of get the Knicks into the play-in spherical whereas additional creating younger gamers similar to Toppin, Grimes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
Most intriguing newcomer
That's a straightforward selection: Jalen Brunson, the high-priced newcomer the Knicks are counting on to resolve their decades-long downside at level guard. That $104 million contract is lots to reside as much as.
Most notable absence
Positional versatility, shotmaking and defensive prowess, Alec Burks was a worthwhile Knick the previous two seasons. His departure, in a commerce to the Pistons together with Nerlens Noel to clear cap area, hurts the Knicks’ backcourt depth and 3-point capturing.
Greatest comeback
It’s honest to marvel how a lot Derrick Rose has left in his quickly to be 34-year-old legs after he appeared in simply 26 video games a 12 months in the past on account of a number of surgical procedures on his proper ankle. A Thibodeau favourite, Rose was one of many linchpins to the 2020-21 breakthrough season for the Knicks.
Don’t be stunned if
Feron Hunt is among the large tales of coaching camp. Signed to a two-way contract in March, the lengthy 6-foot-8 wing is a promising perimeter defender who understands doing the little issues is his NBA ticket, particularly enjoying for a coach like Thibodeau.
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