Knicks' Derek Fisher: 'We're not going to win just 17 games'

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After a humbling start to his tenure as head coach of the New York Knicks, Derek Fisher is rightly reluctant to promise success.

Fisher was asked Thursday how he thinks the Knicks will fare next season, to which he offered some cautious optimism.

Despite last season's debacle, there's reason for hope in the Big Apple.

First off, the Knicks signed three solid veterans in Arron Afflalo, Kyle O'Quinn, and Robin Lopez to help solidify their rotation. They're far from the superstars (Marc Gasol or DeAndre Jordan) they had hoped for, but it's a substantial upgrade over last season. Afflalo should slot in at shooting guard, O'Quinn is capable of starting at power forward, and Lopez gives them a decent two-way center.

Second, the Knicks should face less injury troubles. Starting point guard Jose Calderon started the season on the injury reserve and played only 42 games last season. More importantly, Carmelo Anthony suited up for just 40 games. The team should benefit from improving health alone.

Third, the Knicks drafted two high-upside rookies between Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant. Like most rookies, Grant and Porzingis can't be counted on as reliable contributors to a team that expects to win, but at the very least they have talent, which is something the Knicks woefully lacked last season.

Still, the climb from 17 wins back to respectability is steep. The Knicks definitely improved their team, but unless everything meshes perfectly, their ceiling for next season is still a fringe playoff contender at best.