Welcome to theScore's 2016-17 NBA preview, where you'll find comprehensive coverage of all 30 teams and storylines to watch this season.
New York Knicks
2015-16
| Record | Atlantic | East | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32-50 | 3rd | 13th | N/A |
Offseason Roundup
| Additions | Departures |
|---|---|
| Derrick Rose (trade with CHI) | Robin Lopez (trade with CHI) |
| Joakim Noah (4/$72M) | Jose Calderon (trade with CHI) |
| Courtney Lee (4/$48M) | Jerian Grant (trade with CHI) |
| Brandon Jennings (1/$5M) | Arron Afflalo (SAC) |
| Willy Hernangomez (4/$6M) | Langston Galloway (NOP) |
| Justin Holiday (trade with CHI) | Kevin Seraphin (IND) |
| Mindaugus Kuzminskas (2/$6M) | Derrick Williams (MIA) |
| Marshall Plumlee (minimum) | |
| Maurice Ndour (minimum) |
Projected Starting 5
- PG: Derrick Rose
- SG: Courtney Lee
- SF: Carmelo Anthony
- PF: Kristaps Porzingis
- C: Joakim Noah
Related: Knicks need injury luck, fresh thinking to end playoff drought
Player to watch: Kristaps Porzingis
It's not a stretch to say Porzingis is the most hyped, most promising homegrown Knick since Patrick Ewing.
After a rookie season that saw him average 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks, flash a frighteningly diverse skill set that had teammates calling him a unicorn, and galvanize a jilted fan base, expectations are sky-high for the 7-foot-3 Latvian. What will he do for an encore?
He'll likely have to weather a shock to the system. The arrivals of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah will change the offensive dynamic, with Rose's ball-dominance standing in particular contrast to Jose Calderon's more passive approach at the point. Playing alongside a middle-of-the-floor facilitator like Noah will force (or allow) Porzingis to expand his range and diversify his offensive arsenal. He'll likely be playing off the ball more than last year, which means finding new ways to get open - making quicker reads, cutting into space, and getting more comfortable in the pick-and-pop.
There's no reason to think Porzingis won't adapt, or that new head coach Jeff Hornacek won't find innovative ways to optimize his unique talent. Porzingis has already demonstrated a nose for the ball and uncanny ability to scavenge for buckets, so being surrounded by high-usage teammates doesn't mean he'll get lost in the shuffle. He grew more comfortable shooting from deep last season, and that should become an increasingly prominent component of his game. And at the other end, a monstrous front line featuring him and Noah could be hell to score on inside.
However the new-look Knicks perform, monitoring Porzingis' progress in Year 2 will be one of the great fascinations this NBA season.
Season Expectations
Knicks president Phil Jackson was asked during the team's media day on Friday what would constitute a successful season. His one-word answer: "Championship."
If the Knicks had this same roster in 2011, that might've been a realistic goal. In 2016, most prognosticators will offer a more conservative baseline. On paper, the Knicks look markedly improved - they finally picked up a legitimate starting shooting guard in Courtney Lee, cheaply shored up the bench, and picked up a potential defensive anchor in Noah - but there may not be a more difficult team to peg this season.
Both Noah and Rose are huge question marks, with their spotty injury histories, steadily declining production, and in Rose's case, an ongoing sexual assault trial. Carmelo Anthony rounded out his game last season while posting a career-high assist rate, but also scored at his lowest rate in over a decade, and posted his lowest PER in six seasons as a Knick. Plus he's 32, with recent knee troubles of his own. Hornacek might think his team will avoid injuries, but precedent (and science) would suggest otherwise.
Still, with something like league-average production from the new imports, internal development for Porzingis and the Knicks' spate of undrafted rookies, and a clean bill of health for Anthony, this team will compete for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Given the depths the franchise has plumbed the past few years, even Phil would have to consider that a success.
