5. The Youth Movement
For the first time since the pre-Melo days, the New York Knicks are embracing a youth movement. For the first time since the 1980s, the Knicks have invested in a franchise player who has sustainability on their side.
New York has a chance to become one of the better teams in the NBA if it continues along this path, and signing Tim Hardaway Jr. lines up relatively well.
Hardaway Jr. turned 25 years of age in May, which fits relatively well with the current timeline. Frank Ntilikina will be 19 in July, Kristaps Porzingis will be 22 in August, and Willy Hernangomez turned 23 in May.
With Hardaway within three years of the franchise players, he has the tools to be a high-quality contributor with a similar schedule of growth.
With Hardaway at shooting guard, the Knicks now have a starting-caliber wing who has proven capable of providing quality contributions. He’s provided the Association with flashes of brilliance, albeit inconsistently.
If the Knicks have an opportunity to build for the future, they should capitalize on it—and sometimes, that requires an unfortunately big contract.