Knicks: 1 goal for each player going into the 2021-22 season
Goals for each New York Knicks starter
Julius Randle — Perform well in the playoffs
Julius Randle is coming off by far his best season to date, earning the Most Improved Player award and being named to the All-NBA Second Team. It all came crashing down in the postseason, though, as Randle played horrifically against the Atlanta Hawks — a team in which he dominated in the regular season. For the Knicks to take the next step, Randle’s regular-season play needs to translate into the playoffs.
Kemba Walker — Stay healthy
The Knicks direly needed an All-Star caliber point guard for the past decade, and they signed one in Kemba Walker. The glaring issue with Walker, however, is his health. He played just 43 of 72 games last year due to a left knee injury that could linger into this season. Tom Thibodeau needs to carefully manage the point guard’s minutes in order to conserve him for the playoffs, where the Knicks need him most.
RJ Barrett — Become an All-Star
Becoming an All-Star is no easy task, especially for a third-year player, but RJ Barrett’s linear progression over the first two seasons hints at a potential breakout year. Barrett’s role is a bit foggy since Walker and Evan Fournier joined the roster this summer, but he excelled as a second option last year and should do so once again. Now with Walker and Fournier, the team has better floor spacing giving Barrett more room to operate and develop his game. His touches may decrease, but his field goal percentage should improve from an already solid 44.1 percent. An All-Star season from Barrett solidifies a dynamic duo in him and Randle moving forward.
Evan Fournier — Be a reliable, efficient offensive option
Evan Fournier isn’t the flashiest signing of free agency, but he was a necessary one for the Knicks. New York struggled mightily on offense, ranking 26th in points per game last year. The Knicks are paying Fournier $73 million over four years, so he should strive to be a reliable and efficient option for the offense. If he can live up to his hefty payday, the Knicks’ offense will improve drastically.
Mitchell Robinson — Reclaim the starting role
It would be easy to say Mitchell Robinson’s goal should be to get healthy since he missed 41 games last season, but there’s a bigger goal in mind that goes hand-in-hand with health: reclaiming the starting job. Nerlens Noel took over the role once Robinson was sidelined with injuries and the veteran big man excelled. The starting role is unclear heading into the 2021-22 season, but Robinson has a chance to prove why he deserves it. His youth, ability to exert his defensive prowess onto the perimeter and protect the paint are key to the team’s stifling defense.