New York Knicks: 2019-20 NBA season preview

Storyline 1: Will the young guys step up?

The New York Knicks are in rebuilding mode. They have acquired several young players in recent years via the draft or trade and will be looking to continue developing them. However, they will not just be handed minutes this season as they were last season.

Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Damyean Dotson and Allonzo Trier will have to earn their minutes this season. Robinson looks to have the clearest path to minutes, as there isn’t another natural center on the roster. The other players mentioned all have veterans that they will compete with for minutes.

Ntilikina had his role changed last season and didn’t adapt well. Part of that is on the coaching staff for not putting him in a position to succeed. They played him on the wing and he did not produce. The team is hoping his performance with France in the FIBA World Cup will carry over stateside.

Knox had one of the worst rookie seasons in NBA history. He was a disaster on both ends of the court, as he finished last in ESPN’s RPM at minus-7.47. His offensive RPM was minus-3.03 and defensive RPM was minus-4.44. The overall number was the worst mark in the NBA, with the next closest being Antonio Blakeney at minus-5.81.

Knox can’t get much worse, but if he doesn’t show improvement he will find himself on the bench more often than not.

Dotson and Trier will be battling it out with Ellington for minutes, and Bullock as well once he returns from injury. The backcourt battle for minutes could last throughout the season, as Fizdale could opt to pair some of them together based on opposing matchups.