Knicks: 1 goal for each player going into the 2021-22 season

Goals for each New York Knicks bench player

Nerlens Noel — Win the starting job

Nerlens Noel signed with the New York Knicks in November 2020 to backup Mitchell Robinson for the 2020-21 season. At the conclusion of the year, he was the starter due to Robinson’s injuries. Noel is back on a three-year deal, though, and his excellent play in Robinson’s absence makes for an interesting training camp and preseason to see who earns the role. Noel is not as athletic as Robinson, nor does he have the perimeter shot-blocking ability, but he was reliable and started 41 games, anchoring one of the league’s best defenses. Tom Thibodeau may favor reliability — something he seems to value since he brings Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson to each team he coaches.

Derrick Rose — Maintain efficiency

At the start of last season, the Knicks’ backcourt was not impressive, so adding Derrick Rose to the mix midseason helped significantly. He played 35 regular-season games in a Knicks’ uniform, finishing third in Sixth Man of the Year voting. This season, the backcourt has a lot more talent, and Rose won’t be relied upon so heavily. That said, he should focus on maintaining his efficiency. In the regular season between the Knicks and Detroit Pistons, Rose shot 47 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from deep and 86.6 percent from the free-throw line. His playoff splits were even better — in five games, he shot 47.6 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from distance and 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. The playoff numbers aren’t sustainable, but the regular season ones are, especially since his role in the offense won’t be as hefty.

Alec Burks — Become an offensive spark plug

Alec Burks was essential to the Knicks’ offense last year. Without him, the team is even more miserable on that end of the floor if that’s even possible. This year, barring injuries to starting players, he won’t have as large of a role. Rather than being a shot creator inserted in the end-game lineup, Burks needs to be a spark plug off the bench. His scoring and creativity with the ball make him a lethal threat, especially against opposing bench units. Switching gears from the starters to the bench can be seamless if Burks provides consistent scoring.

Immanuel Quickley — Improve efficiency

Immanuel Quickley stood out as one of the best rookies last season, earning All-Rookie Second Team honors. He was a solid scoring option off the bench, playing 19.4 minutes per game. However, he was inefficient from the floor, shooting just 39.5 percent from the field — granted he did shoot 38.9 percent from deep. Quickley could take the next step as a player this season, but he won’t be able to unless he improves his efficiency. Furthermore, the Knicks have a busy backcourt with Kemba Walker, Rose, Evan Fournier and Burks, so Quickley’s efficiency numbers could affect how often he’s on the floor compared to the other backcourt members.

Obi Toppin — Take the next step

Obi Toppin was the Knicks’ top selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, and he was expected to produce immediately given his age and collegiate accolades. That, of course, didn’t happen, which can be partially blamed on Toppin’s limited minutes as the backup to Julius Randle. The situation remains, and Toppin will need to find his footing as a bench player. He has the scoring ability and efficiency as showcased in college but hasn’t translated it to the professional landscape.

Fringe guys: Taj Gibson, Miles McBride, Quentin Grimes, Kevin Knox — Be ready

Injuries can happen at any moment, and players at the end of the rotation need to be conditioned and game-ready when a teammate is sidelined. Taj Gibson experienced this last season, becoming the backup when Robinson was hurt and even the starter for a few playoff games as Noel was limited with injury. Not being in the regular rotation can be difficult on players, but the depth they serve helps mitigate the team’s downfall when a player suffers an injury.