The Knicks are easily the most poorly run franchise in all of sports. They had a miniscule glimpse of notoriety when Carmelo Anthony brought them to a glorious second round exit in 2013. Other than that, the past twenty years have been an utter embarrassment to say the least. Like it or not, owner James Dolan is here to stay. Thus giving Knicks fans one looming question for the next twenty-some odd years, is there hope?
The lore of Madison Square Garden is enough to provide a false sense of hope until the end of time. The sheer idea of a good basketball team participating in a playoff series inside the basketball haven that is MSG propels Knicks fans into believing in an imaginary friend. An imaginary friend that is a competently run franchise. With seven first round picks in the next four drafts maybe, just maybe, the Knicks can gain traction. I’ll forecast these crucial (!) next two years and hopefully by the end of it, the Knicks have found a new hope.
Coach
The Knicks absolutely need to get this hire right. They have whiffed on five coaches in a row. They can make it six by hiring the reported favorite Tom Thibodeau. Thibs is not the guy for the current iteration of the Knicks roster. If they had a bubble playoff team with players entering their prime, maybe I would consider it. The thing is the Knicks are nowhere close to that point. They need to develop their young talent and incoming draft picks. They need a coach who knows how to deal with young players and how to utilize their strengths. This coach has ironically fallen right into the Knicks’ lap. For once, the basketball gods cut the New York basketball team a break. This coach is Kenny Atkinson.
Atkinson can and will develop the young guys. He inherited a horrible situation in Brooklyn in 2016 and somehow managed to get them in the playoffs in just three years. Every preseason press conference, the front office lectures fans about how things are going to change. They say how the young guys will be developed and how committed they are to the future. By January, Elfrid Peyton, Reggie Bullock, and Taj Gibson play the entire game leaving the young guys stranded on the bench a part of a franchise going nowhere fast. Hire Atkinson, and show that you are truly committed to player development.
Taking Atkinson is a no brainer in my eyes, but I can see why it isn’t for Leon Rose and Dolan. He is nothing like Fisher, Hornacek, Fizdale, or Thibs. He offers a reset button on the franchise and not a “quick fix”. The Knicks need to forget the veteran playoff pushes for an eight seed and transition to a true rebuild.
2020 Draft
With the lottery set for about a month from now, this section is subject to change. I went on Tankathon.com and simulated the lottery just to get an idea on who the Knicks can and should take in the first round. The sim had the Knicks coming in at pick #6.
With the sixth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select Killian Hayes. The point guard from France is the best in his class at his position. I have departed from the Lamelo Ball bandwagon for numerous reasons but the main few being efficiency, shot selection, and defensive concerns. Hayes is the pick for the Knicks at this spot. Ball and Deni Avdija are off the board anyway, and no other player fits their needs. He wasn’t the most efficient shooting the ball, but his free throw shooting is spectacular which usually projects success down the line. His shot mechanics are solid as well. Next to an improved RJ Barrett, I like the pairing.
I did a scouting report on Killian Hayes, so check that out for a more in-depth breakdown of his game.
With their other first round pick projected at #27, the Knicks take the Greek big man Aleksej Pokuševski. “Poku” is exactly who the Knicks need in the front court. He is a developmental project certainly, but can provide much needed shooting at the four and small ball five. With Mitchell Robinson being in constant foul trouble it is important for the Knicks to have a solid backup option. I think the two seven footers could even play together just because Poku is a solid playmaker and shooter.
In the second round the Knicks select Myles Powell. That is all. (read my scouting report please)
Coming into the 20-21 season with the point guard position taken care of as well as a high upside big man, the Knicks will be in good shape.
2020 Offseason
The days of pursuing big time free agents are long gone. Unlike last offseason, the Knicks will find vets who work with the young guys rather than seeking quick fix roster additions. Signing Marcus Morris again would be a good move in my opinion. He enjoys playing in New York and the Knicks really need a forward of his caliber.
I’d also look to sign Jerami Grant and fill him in at the power forward position. I can’t stand watching Julius Randle play the game of basketball and would love to see him traded or benched for a less ball stopping forward like Grant.
That brings me to my next move of the offseason, a trade. I would package Randle, Dennis Smith, and Knox for a three-and-d wing. Who exactly would take this deal? I have no idea. I know the Nuggets had interest in Randle before the Knicks signed him. I’d gladly take Will Barton and a future first or something along those lines. That is probably just hopeful thinking but I’m ready to move on from those three guys and more than willing to test the market with them.
2020-21 Season Depth Chart (no trade)
PG: Killian Hayes, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith
SG: RJ Barrett, Dameyean Dotson, Myles Powell
SF: Marcus Morris, Iggy Brazdeikas, Kevin knox
PF: Jerami Grant, Aleksej Pokuševski, Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson
Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson
This Knicks roster is young but that is how it is supposed to be. From just a talent standpoint, Kenny is in a far better situation here than with the 2016 Brooklyn roster. The key is to develop the young guys and see improvement on the court. With a 30-35 win ceiling, the Knicks can then prepare for a loaded draft class in 2021. A trade up is more than possible since they will have two first round picks.
With the roster above and maybe a midseason Randle trade, the New York Knicks have indeed discovered a new hope.