New York Knicks: 3 silver linings after striking out in free agency

1. All jokes aside, this could be a playoff team

Set to bring a spontaneous chuckle to every NBA fan, the idea that the New York Knicks might be a borderline playoff team isn’t that far off from becoming reality during the 2019-20 season.

Let’s take a look at the changes that took place and how they affect New York City basketball. They signed several great role players to two-year contracts with team options for the next season. Bobby Portis, Wayne Ellington, Reggie Bullock, Taj Gibson and Elfrid Payton are all quality role players that might even deserve starter minutes.

By placing all the aforementioned vets around a great young core of Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr. and Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have created an incredibly balanced team, with almost a dozen of good players, though a superstar is nowhere to be found.

Will this core of young players with the addition of an incredible bench rotation be enough to push for the first playoff spot since 2012-13? If the chemistry is right from the beginning, it might just be enough.

The goal was for the Knicks to be contenders after the 2019 offseason. Right now they’re nowhere near championship contention and this roster will probably never get them there. But it may be enough to grant them a playoff spot, which would lead to some playoff experience for the rookies but would also put the league and potential free agents on notice.