The 2015-16 NBA regular season has been a rough one for the New York Knicks. Nevertheless, there are players who should be brought back for 2016-17.
The New York Knicks will finish an NBA regular season with a losing record for the third consecutive season. Dating back to New York’s last trip to the NBA Finals, 1999, the Knicks have compiled a record above .500 in just five of a possible 17 seasons.
The key to restoring New York’s greatness may already be on the roster.
Clearly, team president Phil Jackson needs to acquire a significantly greater measure of talent to round out the starting lineup. Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Robin Lopez are well-suited to be the frontcourt trio of the future, but the backcourt is flush with question marks.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that New York has been tied to both Mike Conley and Rajon Rondo—the Top 2 point guards in the upcoming class of free agents.
For as pressing a need as that undeniably is, championship contenders are built on more than just the talent in the starting lineup. The starting five must be complemented by a second unit that can maintain a similar pace and hold its own against the opposition.
New York can begin the process of building that group by re-signing the following five players.
Next: Long-Term Potential