New York Knicks Starting Lineup: Locks, fringe, potential break-ins

Prior to free agency’s 6 p.m. start on Aug. 2, nobody was sure who the New York Knicks would sign or re-sign.

A number of key rotation players were set to hit the open market — all of whom looking to sign a more lucrative deal than their last. But re-signing all of them seemed unlikely as the organization needed to add outside pieces to improve the roster, positioning the team for a deeper playoff run. Of course, there was a possibility the Knicks would be participants in the trade market.

The New York Knicks not only retained core pieces but also added talent in order to push the team further into the playoffs.

But the Knicks cleared up any confusion or rumors — aside from those circulating trades. Leon Rose and co. in the front office re-signed Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Derrick Rose to three-year deals and brought Taj Gibson back on a one-year contract. They allowed Reggie Bullock to walk as he signed a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

Still, the Knicks had cap space to utilize in order to improve the team. Such cap room was used to sign 28-year-old Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker after the OKC Thunder bought the four-time All-Star out.

Fournier agreed to a four-year, $78 million contract that includes a team option on the final year, and Walker’s deal is expected to be around $8 million annually, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

Barring a DeAndre Jordan-esque situation, the Knicks will likely watch the remaining days of free agency from the sideline. Of course, New York could make a deal via a trade, but that’s not promised.

Nevertheless, the Knicks’ starting lineup is beginning to take shape as the team prepares for another successful season under head coach Tom Thibodeau. Here are some of the players locked in as starters, some on the fringe of becoming a starter and some that could potentially break into the starting five.