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New York Knicks: Five lineups to explore during closing weeks of 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 23: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 23: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 23: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 23, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. A Simulated Starting Lineup

PG: Frank Ntilikina
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF: Troy Williams
PF: Luke Kornet
C: Enes Kanter

In this scenario, the New York Knicks would essentially be simulating the scenario they’re preparing for. Frank Ntilikina was drafted as the point guard of the future and Tim Hardaway Jr. was signed to fill the 2-spot.

With the Knicks looking to acquire an athletic 3 and bring Kristaps Porzingis back at power forward, the team can simulate the starting lineup here.

Enes Kanter at center is a question mark, as the Knicks could draft a player at his position to provide superior two-way value. Luke Kornet clearly isn’t Porzingis, but he’s as close as the Knicks are going to come in the sense that he’s a 7’0″ sharpshooter who blocks shots.

Thus, the Knicks add athletic wing Troy Williams to a frontcourt that could at least stylistically emulate what the team is attempting to build and develop.

In the backcourt, Ntilikina would be tasked with filling the point guard role and Hardaway would be at his true position. Considering the Knicks are eyeing small forwards in the 2018 NBA Draft, it stands to reason that both players will soon be tasked with making that transition.

There are certainly question marks here, but this is as close to what the Knicks are building towards as the current roster can emulate.

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