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New York Knicks starting lineup: Locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

By Chip Murphy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 02: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks in action against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on March 02, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 125-123. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
New York Knicks (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Starting lineup locks

Not much is certain about this Knicks team, but the starting backcourt is a lock. For now, anyway.

Elfrid Payton

It’s hard to be excited about the possibility of Elfrid Payton in the starting lineup again. The numbers say that the Knicks were significantly better last season with Payton on the court, but that didn’t add up to many wins. New York was just 13-23 in Payton’s 36 starts last season.

Payton told reporters that he always planned to return — even after the team declined his $8 million option. The reality is that New York brought him back out of necessity. The Knicks didn’t really have a chance with their point guards of choice — Fred VanVleet and LaMelo Ball — so they had to settle for Payton.

RJ Barrett

RJ Barrett started in 55 of his 56 games last season. The advanced stats were some of the worst in the league but a demotion out of the starting lineup would hurt his confidence and wouldn’t make sense. The Knicks don’t have a legit starting caliber shooting guard to replace Barrett anyway.

light. Related Story. Knicks: Grading Obi Toppin and the 2020 rookies

Barrett was second on the team in minutes played. He was fifth among rookies in points and sixth in minutes played. Barrett’s already said that being left off of the All-Rookie team bothered him a lot. The 20-year-old says he’s using it as motivation for the upcoming season.

While Barrett’s long-term position is probably small forward, they seem to like him best now at the two.

Julius Randle

Knicks fans don’t want to hear, read, or see this, but Julius Randle will be in the starting lineup on opening night against the Indiana Pacers. New York is trying to trade their highest-paid player, and demoting him is a strange message to send to potentially interested teams.

I know that fans would love to see the rookie get the nod, but it’s unlikely for a player with his flaws. As much as the Knicks may like Toppin, I don’t see any rookie as the starter on opening night for a Thibs team. I know there’s been talk of Randle starting next to Obi, and I actually have a take on that.

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