New York Knicks: 2017-18 season preview
2017-18 Roster
Carmelo Anthony, SF
Jamel Artis, SF
Ron Baker, PG/SG
Michael Beasley, PF
Damyean Dotson, SG
Tim Hardaway Jr., SG
Nigel Hayes, SF/PF
Willy Hernangomez, C
Jarrett Jack, PG
Luke Kornet, PF/C
Mindaugas Kuzminskas, SF
Courtney Lee, SG
Joakim Noah, C
Frank Ntilikina, PG
Kyle O’Quinn, C
Marshall Plumlee, C
Kristaps Porzingis, PF
Chasson Randle, PG
Xavier Rathan-Mayes, PG/SG
Ramon Sessions, PG
Lance Thomas, SF/PF
Offseason Additions
Jamel Artis (undrafted free agent, Pittsburgh), Michael Beasley (free agent, Milwaukee Bucks), Damyean Dotson (No. 44 overall pick, Houston), Tim Hardaway Jr. (restricted free agent, Atlanta Hawks), Nigel Hayes (undrafted free agent, Wisconsin), Jarrett Jack (free agent, Atlanta Hawks), Luke Kornet (two-way contract), Frank Ntilikina (No. 8 overall pick, France), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (undrafted free agent, Florida State University), Ramon Sessions (free agent, Charlotte Hornets)
Offseason Subtractions
Justin Holiday (free agent, Chicago Bulls), Marshall Plumlee (waived, Los Angeles Clippers), Derrick Rose (free agent, Cleveland Cavaliers), Sasha Vujacic (free agent, Fiat Torino)
Quick Thoughts
The New York Knicks have pursued a jagged and bewildering path of roster construction, one that has left them with a poorly-fitting roster improperly balanced across positions. While the team has a franchise cornerstone in Kristaps Porzingis, around him they have stumbled in their attempts to create a cohesive whole.
While thin and still developing strength, Porzingis clearly projects a long-time option at the 5, at least for some of his time on the court. In fact, a rotation with a player such as Willy Hernangomez with the bulk to take on larger centers would be a perfect match, allowing Porzingis to start at the 4 but then slide to the 5 as the backup center.
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But instead last offseason the Knicks handed aging veteran Joakim Noah $72 million to block the position from Porzingis. Add in the $4.1 million owed Kyle O’Quinn, and the Knicks are paying two centers a combined $21.84 million to be the third- and fourth-best options on their own team.
The Knicks took a similar approach to the shooting guard position, where they handed out $71 million to Tim Hardaway Jr. after giving Courtney Lee $50 million last summer. Add in second round pick Damyean Dotson and the contract given to combo guard Ron Baker, and the Knicks have sunk a lot of resources into the 2…
…and a comparatively small amount into the point guard position. First round pick Frank Ntilikina is young, raw, and potentially an off-guard down the line. Helping him man the position are a collection of old veterans still hanging on in the league — Ramon Sessions, Jarrett Jack — or undrafted free agents brought on as the equivalent of a blind dart throw.
There is talent here, but it’s masked by bloated contracts and crowded positions. Jeff Hornacek has to show he can manage rotations to maximize not only their on-court fit but their development as well. Is he the right man to tap into that potential?