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 objectives of the course, the player to watch and a forecast about the franchise.
New York Knicks
- Balance 21-22: 37-45 (11th Eastern Conference, out of playoffs)
- Trainedr: Tom Thibodeau (3rd season in charge)
- Top 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: Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein signings; trades of Kemba Walker, Nerlens Noel and Alec Burks to the Detroit Pistons; extensions of 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 (dual contract), Ryan Arcidiacono (not guaranteed) and Svi Mykhailiuk (partially guaranteed).
- Frontcourt: Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, Isaiah Hartenstein, Obi Toppin y Feron Hunt (contrato dual).
This is how they face the season
Talking about the Knicks is synonymous with a soap opera, and this summer they have been one of the great protagonists of the market. In addition to his large and questionable moves on the night of the 2022 Draft, the president of operations, Leon Rose, has tried by all means to bring 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 getting very interesting in Cleveland.
Mitchell’s soap opera has unleashed all kinds of rumours, information, and of course misinformation (Ahem, Marc Berman of the NY Post). From the always demanding city of skyscrapers, there has been talk that there was no Mitchell Robinson, nor 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 linked to the project for the time being, and one server hopes that they will give him the title instead of Evan Fournier, who by the way has had a sensational Eurobasket 2022.
Regardless of the failure (or not) of trading Mitchell, I think the Knicks have done their job pretty well. They’ve gotten rid of expendable contracts such as Kemba Walker, Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, instead bolstering the point guard position with Jalen Brunson, and also bringing in 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 of Thibodeau. Brunson and Barrett have already been able to talk and train in the city, and the only thing missing from the equation is Randle. The power forward was also involved in numerous transfer rumours, but he only has to prove that his 2020-21 campaign was not a mere mirage.
Randle, aggrieved by his prominence, became obsessed with standing out, and forgot about other facets of the game. Too many clarifications, too much selfishness on the track, and even the occasional comb to the always demanding Knicks fans. And all this took its toll. Al Randle as a person and Al Randle as a player. With him I allow myself to go against the tide and I hope he goes back to being what he was, that is, a player who makes the difference not only in scoring, but also in rebounding and, above all, making the game easier for his teammates.
And speaking of confidence. Here it is important to make a break to talk about Mitchell Robinson, and specifically about RJ Barrett. They were both the first rookies drafted by the Knicks who have been extended since Charlie Ward in 1999. Strong words given the franchise’s delicate history 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 defensively and offensively. The point to improve on him are the oversights that he sometimes has by placing himself in the back and charging personal fouls too quickly.
Regarding Barrett, the Canadian is a highly appreciated player by both the board and the fans despite the summer rumours. His renewal has not been closed until the very last minute, but it was almost mandatory to do it, and more because of the numbers that he has agreed (only 107 million will be guaranteed). What to say about Barrett that hasn’t been said. He points to future All-Star. Since he was chosen 3rd in the 2019 Draft, he has evolved in practically all facets of his game, and above all he has carved out an interesting outside shot. In addition, as he has been showing in certain parts of the season, he is not afraid to throw the team behind him and he is ready to take on the clutch time.
Let’s get on with the secondaries now because the Knicks are going to have to get their hands on them. In the first place for importance I place 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 was his most important bench player, and in this next season they will surely need his presence and his points.
Along with Rose, there is the group of three young men called to consecrate themselves as rotation men, and even some as a starter. By them I mean Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes. With Toppin I have mixed feelings, since I liked his final stretch of the season, but maybe it was a little inflated given the negative situation of the team. ‘Manolito’ Quickley is never talked about enough, and it is true that he was poor at the beginning of the year, but he improved as he received more and more playing opportunities. And the case of Grimes is very particular. He did not have minutes, but given the delicate situation of the Covid-19 he allowed him to receive them, and boy did he take advantage of them. An all-terrain player who can fit wonderfully with the Thibs philosophy, and even, as I have pointed out before, I would bet on giving him the title alongside Brunson and Barrett to find the perfect balance between attack and defense on the wings.
Behind these seven or eight players I have on my list Evan Fournier, the signing of Hartenstein, and especially Cam Reddish. The former fellow Atlanta player is believed to be disliked by his coach, but he has already shown great commitment to the team by joining the voluntary workouts they are currently having in Westchester. Reddish has starting material, but something went wrong with the Hawks, and something went wrong in his first steps with the Knicks that he has not finished convincing with his game. Will he end up pierced? Everything points to it.
We have mentioned that Grimes should be a starter, but there is also the option of Fournier for status and experience, and even that of the aforementioned Reddish. Nothing should be ruled out if things don’t go well given the start of the regular season. Let us remember that this is not how it begins, but how it ends. And if not, ask Ime Udoka and his finalist Celtics, and also Kemba Walker, a flashy signing who ended up being sidelined and going out the back door.
With the Knicks I predict a good season within his limitations. I place them among the teams that will fight for access to the playoffs through play-in. And I would even dare to say that if the machinery starts to work soon, I do not rule out an eighth place despite the fierce competition that there is right now in the East. Ahead I place teams like Milwaukee, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Cleveland; and on a par with others like Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta and maybe the Wizards with Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis if injuries respect them.
the player to watch
The big signing of the summer has been Jalen Brunson, but in my opinion the player to watch this season is RJ Barrett, who is willing to take another step forward to show that his extension was not in vain.
The Canadian has been faithful to the Knicks despite all those rumors that placed him as the main bargaining chip for Mitchell. Press gossip or not, perhaps Barrett is currently the player who most feels the colors of the team, with the exception of Obi Toppin, a native of Brooklyn and a self-confessed Knicks fan, as evidenced by the newspaper library of his parents.
Of Barrett it 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 that 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 pass through his hands. He has to follow his own, which is nothing more than continuing to evolve game by game and adding resources to his game. He has improved percentages in his outside shot, rebounds or demands himself on defense. And best of 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 it burns the most. Both the board and the fans are delighted with him, and his personal goal, in addition to trying to return to the playoffs, should be the All-Star and in the process fight to be among the Best Quintets of the Year. Of course, his skills are not lacking.
The prognosis
Elio Martínez, director of nbamaniacs, leaves a personal and subjective forecast on what he thinks each franchise will do during the season in the previous NBA 2022-23.
After the step back that was last year, the Knicks should improve. If only for getting rid of Kemba Walker. They will win games again by intensity and should have some positive streaks throughout the year. Still, I don’t think they’ll get into the playoffs directly and they’ll have to fight in the play-in. Forecast: 41 wins and 19th in the NBA.
Previous team reviewed: New Orleans Pelicans. Next team: Los Angeles Clippers.
(Cover photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images)