New York Knicks: 2019-20 NBA season preview

2019-20 roster

Key additions: RJ Barrett (draft), Ignas Brazdeikis (draft night trade), Julius Randle (free agency), Taj Gibson (free agency), Elfrid Payton (free agency), Bobby Portis (free agency), Wayne Ellington (free agency), Reggie Bullock (free agency), Marcus Morris (free agency)

Key subtractions: Mario Hezonja (free agency), DeAndre Jordan (free agency), Luke Kornet (free agency), Emmanuel Mudiay (free agency), Lance Thomas (waived), Noah Vonleh (free agency)

Steve Mills and Scott Perry had high expectations coming into the offseason. They came in with virtually a clean slate and looked at multiple avenues to improve the talent on the roster. They didn’t land the max player they were hoping for but did bring in some solid veterans that will help develop the young guys on the roster.

People will be excited to see what Barrett brings to the table. The pressure will be immense as he is looked at as the next franchise player with Kristaps Porzingis now with the Dallas Mavericks. He had a strong finish to the Las Vegas Summer League after struggling in the early going.

Brazdeikis was arguably the team’s best player in Summer League, but will have a difficult time finding minutes in a crowded frontcourt.

Julius Randle, at 25 years old, fits the rebuild timeline still. He was the biggest signing this summer and is also the only player to have guaranteed money beyond the 2019-20 season. That gives the organization some flexibility going forward.

They can trade some of the veterans once the trade deadline comes around to add more draft assets or retain them using the options on their contracts.

None of the players who departed will be too missed. While some highlights were provided by Hezonja and Vonleh looked to break through a bit, they don’t fit the bill as mentors and were looking for opportunities of their own to continue developing.