New York Knicks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

4. Youth will help Porzingis take charge in 2017-18

The New York Knicks will be a young team but they’ve got a leader-in-the-making in Kristaps Porzingis that will help them along in 2017-18.

The improvement begins with point guard Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina is a big guard with a jump shot who also is turning into a distributor with the ball. Unfortunately, the Knicks didn’t get to see him participate in NBA Summer League.

He was drafted under the notion he has the ability to run the Triangle, but hopefully those plans are scrapped. Ntilikina with Porzingis in a pick-and-roll scenario has the potential to produce positive results.

The next rookie to keep an eye on is Damyean Dotson, who has already signed a multi-year deal with the Knicks. Dotson averaged 17.4 points and 6.9 rebounds last season with the Houston Mustangs.

He was the 44th overall pick by New York in the 2017 NBA Draft. He got the attention of the front office with his Summer League performance.

Dotson put up 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game while shooting 48 percent from 3-point land. He’s a 6’7″ sharpshooter who has potential to give this team some value on offense.

The New York Knicks will be young but the potential for growth is there if they can build the chemistry. Ntilikina and Dotson should be key in helping Porzingis along in 2017-18.