New York Knicks Are Not A Finished Product

Step 1: Establishing A Core

The first step in the execution of Phil Jackson’s vision was the establishment of a solid core. He succeeded in forming that group by surrounding Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis with three team-first players who were signed to four-year deals.

Now that the core has been established, the New York Knicks can outline specific needs and goals to make free agency, the draft, and trade talks more productive.

Jackson signed Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah, and Lance Thomas to four-year contracts. Lee is a 3-and-D specialist, Thomas is a positionally versatile forward who can be classified as the same, and Noah won the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year award.

All three compete on defense and provide unselfish offensive contributions, thus making them the perfect complements to Anthony and Porzingis—the primary scoring threats.

With a core of Anthony, Lee, Noah, Porzingis, and Thomas, the Knicks can now pitch something concrete to free agents. Rather than having a loose idea without the supporting pieces in place, New York has found its glue guys.

The Knicks may or may not be a championship contender, but critical steps have been taken towards achieving that goal.

Next: Step 2: In Progress