New York Knicks: When will David Fizdale announce the starting lineup?

David Fizdale may not announce the New York Knicks starting lineup until the end of the preseason.

The New York Knicks have players with lengthy careers, high salaries and intriguing upside, but none of that will matter in training camp and preseason, with head coach David Fizdale’s announcement that all starting spots will be up for grabs.

That leaves uncertainty but a battle throughout the roster for the five main spots to open the season. Anyone can step up to impress Fizdale, even if it’s the unexpected player that held a limited spot in 2017-18.

With attention on Fizdale’s plan, there’s the question of when he will announce the starting lineup for the first game of the season on Wednesday, Oct. 17 against the Atlanta Hawks. According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, it will take to last preseason game for an announcement:

"“Oh gosh, probably after the last preseason game,’’ Fizdale said on when he’ll make his decision. “Because a guy might play great or do a great job the first game then not show up the next three or four, but another guy plays awful early and he starts revving it up late.“I don’t think it’s fair for me to start making decisions until we get out of training camp. Training camp for me is all the way up until the end.”"

This doesn’t come as a surprise since it allows the coaching staff to evaluate the players for as long as needed.

New York has a five-game preseason schedule that starts Monday, Oct. 1 vs. the Washington Wizards and closes Friday, Oct. 12 against the Brooklyn Nets. It gives Fizdale just over two weeks to decide on the main group, whoever it may be, and a small on-court sample size towards the choices.

So far, no player has been named a contender for the lineup, but it’s difficult to think Tim Hardaway Jr. and Enes Kanter will sit on the outside looking in. Both led the way in scoring for the Knicks in 2017-18, but also bring questions defensively.

Fizdale also wants a bigger small forward, which potentially takes Courtney Lee out of the mix and means Mario Hezonja or Kevin Knox starts.

After that, it’s point guard and who plays between the small forward and Kanter. In a league of stretch fours, there’s an ability to get creative with a handful of taller players on the roster.

So, it will take time for an official answer on the starting lineup. Training camp must close, while preseason still must occur in early October. Which group will emerge before the meaningful games begin?