New York Knicks: 3 big questions heading into 2019-20

Following disappointment in their pursuit of stars, the New York Knicks pivoted to role players, while keeping flexibility moving forward.

Entering the summer New York Knicks fans were excited by the team’s pursuit of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, which ultimately ended in disappointment as both players moved to the Brooklyn Nets, creating a powerhouse in the Knicks’ backyard.

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

New York responded by pivoting towards role players and young prospects who can help now while offering future upside. Shockingly, though, most of these players are listed at power forward, creating an immediate logjam for minutes in the front court.

Julius Randle and Bobby Portis are the most notable additions to the squad for the upcoming NBA season.

The Knicks have a talented young core in which to build around moving forward, a core which is understated due to the intense spotlight under which the team operates, amplified by a rabid fan base hungry for success following decades of disappointment.

Adding RJ Barrett to a core already consisting of Mitchell Robinson, Dennis Smith Jr. and Kevin Knox was initially met with excitement, but the moves that followed raised questions about the roster’s construction.

While most of these questions cannot be answered until the season is under way and players are settling into the rotations and their individual roles. There are three major questions which need a closer look in order to understand the task at hand moving into the new NBA season.