Preview of the 2022-23 NBA season on the New York Knicks. Data, results from the previous season, a look at their roster and their future free agents, the goals of the course, the player to watch and a forecast on the franchise.
New York Knicks
- Balance 21-22: 37-45 (11th Eastern Conference, out of playoffs)
- Trainedr: Tom Thibodeau (3rd season in office)
- The best free agents in 2023: Derrick Rose (equipment option); Cam reddish (qualifying offer); Obi Toppin (team option), Immanuel Quickley (team option) and Quentin Grimes (team option).
- History: The most important players in the history of the New York Knicks.
Template
- Movements in the market: signings of Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein; exchanges of Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks with the Detroit Pistons; extensions by Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims and RJ Barrett.
- Backcourt: Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, Evan Fournier, Miles McBride, Derrick Rose, Cam Reddish, Trevor Keels (double contract), Ryan Arcidiacono (not guaranteed) and Svi Mykhailiuk (partially guaranteed).
- Attack court: Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, Isaiah Hartenstein, Obi Toppin and Feron Hunt (double double).
So they face the season
Talking about the Knicks is synonymous with soap operas, and this summer they were one of the big players on the market. In addition to his big and questionable moves on the night of Draft 2022, the president of operations, Leon Rose, has made every effort to get Donovan Mitchell to the Big Apple. However, the manager has not succumbed to pressure from Danny Ainge, and finally the former Salt Lake City star will play in a project that is becoming very interesting in Cleveland.
Mitchell’s soap opera sparked all kinds of rumors, information and of course misinformation (Uh, Marc Berman of the NY Post). From the ever-demanding city of skyscrapers, there was talk that there was no Mitchell Robinson, no RJ Barrett, or that, for example, Quentin Grimes was an untouchable for Tom Thibodeau. But nothing is further from reality. Robinson and Barrett have been extended with two correct contracts, and Grimes will continue to be tied to the project for the time being, and a server hopes that they will give him the title in place of Evan Fournier, who among other things had a resounding Eurobasket 2022.
Regardless of whether Mitchell’s trading failed (or not), I think the Knicks have done their job pretty well. They got rid of spendable contracts, such as Kemba Walker, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, to instead strengthen the position as point guard with Jalen Brunson, and also to bring a very interesting center in Isaiah Hartenstein.
Brunson arrives at the Knicks to become their leader and one of their main offensive references. Together with Randle and Barrett, he will form the particular Big three by Thibodeau. Brunson and Barrett have already been able to talk and train in town, and the only thing missing from the equation is Randle. The striker has also been involved in numerous transfer rumors, but he just needs to prove that his 2020-21 campaign was no mere mirage.
Randle, saddened by its importance, became obsessed with the idea of standing out and forgot about other aspects of the game. Too many details, too much selfishness on the track, and even some occasional hairstyles for the ever-demanding Knicks fans. And all of this took its toll on him. Al Randle as a person and Al Randle as a player. With him I allow myself to go against the grain and I hope that he will go back to being what he was, that is a player who makes a difference not only in scoring, but also in rebounding and, above all, facilitating the game for his teammates.
And speaking of trust. Here it is important to pause to talk about Mitchell Robinson, and especially RJ Barrett. They were both first newbies drafted by the Knicks which were extended by Charlie Ward in 1999. Strong words given the delicate history of the franchise since then (thanks James Dolan).
They trust that Mitch can become the main defensive anchor if he moves away from the physical problems that have always accompanied him. The center has a huge wingspan, is very easy to block and knows how to close the rebound well both in defensive and offensive phases. His point to improve is the oversights he sometimes has by putting himself in the rear and burdening himself with personal fouls too quickly.
As for Barrett, the Canadian is a player highly regarded by both the board and the fans despite the summer rumors. His renewal was not closed until the last minute, but it was almost mandatory to do so, and even more so for the numbers he agreed (only 107 million will be guaranteed). What to say about Barrett that hasn’t been said. Aim for an All-Star future. Since his third pick in the 2019 Draft, he has evolved into virtually all facets of his game and, above all, carved out an interesting outside shot. Moreover, as he has shown in some moments of the season, he is not afraid to put the team behind him and is ready to face the friction time.
Let’s get on with the secondary now because the Knicks will have to get their hands on it. In the first place in importance I put the name of Derrick Rose, Thibs’ right hand man, and who, due to physical problems, was barely able to play last year. The one who was the youngest MVP in history has been their most important bench player, and they will definitely need his presence and points from him this coming season.
Together with Rose, there is the group of three young people called to consecrate themselves as men of rotation, and also some as starters. By them I mean Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes. With Toppin I have mixed feelings, since I liked his last part of the season, but maybe he was a bit inflated given the negative situation of the team. There is never enough talk of ‘Manolito’ Quickley, and it is true that he was poor at the beginning of the year, but he has improved as he has received more and more opportunities to play. And the case of Grimes is very special. He didn’t have minutes, but given the delicate situation of Covid-19, he allowed him to receive them, and boy did he take advantage of it. An off-road player who can adapt wonderfully to Thibs’ philosophy, and also, as I have already pointed out, I would bet on giving him the title along with Brunson and Barrett to find the perfect balance between attack and defense on the flanks.
Behind these seven or eight players I have Evan Fournier on my list, the signing of Hartenstein and above all Cam Reddish. The former Atlanta mate is believed to be unpleasant to his coach himself, but he has already shown great commitment to the team by joining the volunteer training sessions currently taking place in Westchester. Reddish has source material, but something went wrong with the Hawks, and something went wrong in his first steps with the Knicks that he didn’t finish convincing with playing him. Will he end up being transferred? Everything points to it.
We mentioned that Grimes is supposed to be a starter, but there’s also Fournier’s option for status and experience, and also that of the aforementioned Reddish. Nothing to be ruled out if things do not go well given the start of the regular season. Let us remember that this is not how it begins, but how it ends. And ask Ime Udoka and her Celtics finalist, and also Kemba Walker, a flashy buy that ended up being pushed out the back door.
With the Knicks I foresee a good season within its limits. I put them among the teams that will fight for access to the playoffs via the play-in. And I would also dare to say that if the machinery starts working soon, I am not ruling out an eighth place despite the strong competition that exists right now in the East. Up front I put teams like Milwaukee, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Cleveland; and on a par with others like Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta and perhaps the Wizards with Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis if injuries respect them.
the player to watch
The big signing of the summer was Jalen Brunson, but in my opinion the player to watch this season is RJ Barrett, who is willing to take another step forward to prove his extension hasn’t been in vain.
The Canadian has been loyal to the Knicks despite all the rumors that he was placed as the main bargaining chip for Mitchell. Gossip in the press or not, perhaps Barrett is currently the player who feels the colors of the team the most, with the exception of Obi Toppin, a native of Brooklyn and a confessed Knicks fan, as evidenced by the newspaper library of his parents.
Barrett is stated that he will not be a star, that he will not go beyond that second or third option in attack, but here I play it and I think sooner or later he will be, and the perfect mirror is in Jimmy Butler, decisive in Minnesota and Philadelphia, and currently leading the Miami Heat.
Many of the Knicks’ hopes for the next two or three years go through his hands. He has to follow his own, which is nothing more than continuing to evolve game after game and add resources to his game. He has improved the percentages in his outside shot, rebounds or is required in defense. And above all: he is not afraid. He is not afraid of New York, of what it means to play for the Knicks and, if necessary, to play the ball when he burns the most. Both the board and the fans are happy with him and his personal goal, as well as trying to get back to the playoffs, should be the All-Star and in the meantime fight to be among the best quintets of the year. Obviously the skills are not lacking.
The prognosis
Elio Martínez, director of nbamaniacs, leaves a personal and subjective forecast of what he thinks each franchise will do during the season in the previous NBA 2022-23.
After last year’s setback, the Knicks should improve. If only to get rid of Kemba Walker. They will win matches for intensity again and are expected to have some streaks throughout the year. However, I don’t think they will go straight into the playoffs and have to fight in the play-ins. Prediction: 41 wins and 19 in the NBA.
Previous team reviewed: New Orleans Pelicans. Next team: Los Angeles Clippers.
(Cover photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
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