New York Knicks: 2019-20 NBA season preview

Predictions

A playoff push for the New York Knicks would excite fans, but that seems unrealistic at this point. The roster is improved and they will be more competitive than last season, but expecting the team to finish .500 this season is unfair. Last season, the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference won 41 games.

Instead, the team winning 30 games seems more realistic. The veterans aren’t coming here to lose games. They want to improve their stock and look to cash in next summer in what looks like an underwhelming free-agent class. Some of those potential free agents are traded prior to the NBA Trade Deadline in February to contenders looking to improve their roster for a playoff push.

R.J. Barrett is given all the reps he can handle and the team puts him in different situations to see what he can handle. He will be in the Rookie of the Year conversation right through the end of the season. Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle make for one of the most exciting power forward/center combinations in the league as they are a solid fit alongside each other.

Frank Ntilikina, based on previous attempts, will disappointingly not be given much of a chance and the team trades him. He will blossom wherever he goes. Kevin Knox responds to the challenge and plays better in his sophomore season. Marcus Morris is a great mentor for Knox and given his ability to play both forward spots, someone he should learn a lot from.

New York should be much improved from the 3-point line, which should help them improve on their league-worst offensive rating from 2018-19. They take some steps forward defensively as well with Robinson continuing his dominance around the rim.

The Knicks will finish 12th in the Eastern Conference, winning 30 games. Think of how the Atlanta Hawks played last season. They are now an up-and-coming team in the league. The Knicks could be in that same position at this time next year if things go their way.