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New York Knicks: Projecting the preseason opener’s starting lineup

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks and Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks high-five during the game against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks and Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks high-five during the game against the Miami Heat on April 6, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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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) /

Without a plan for the regular season’s starting lineup, who will the New York Knicks put on the court in the preseason opener?

New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale kicked off training camp with a proclamation, that all five starting spots open. No matter if the player was a high draft pick or owns a high salary, everything sits up for grabs as the season nears.

No decision will arrive on the starting lineup until the preseason ends on Oct. 12. That leaves about two weeks for Fizdale and the staff to choose the players that open the season opener.

As of Friday’s practice, no starters were announced for the Oct. 1 preseason opener, however. That should change soon—potentially at Saturday’s open practice or on Sunday—and provide clarity towards the team’s early direction.

Fizdale did not allude to particular players lined up for a starting spot, but there are still reasonable expectations for who opens the game.

Guard: Trey Burke

Trey Burke held his own in a near half-season stint with the New York Knicks in 2017-18, which should result in a spot on the upcoming season’s roster, despite a partially guaranteed contract. It was a strong first impression, but what about afterward?

For now, this previous work places Burke in the starting lineup. His 12.8 points and 4.7 assists per game on over 50 percent shooting exceeded what Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina did in their respective roles, but under a new coaching staff, will that matter long-term?

Head coach David Fizdale already expressed the desire for positionless basketball. At just 6-foot-1, Burke is a pure point guard and does not possess the size to guard a bigger player at the two spot.

Mudiay and Ntilikina both stand at least four inches taller than Burke, but their subpar shooting production in 2017-18 and need for another step in player development potentially places them on the bench. That’s while the veteran assumes the main role.

Though, this is for the first preseason game. Will Burke play well enough to keep the other former lottery picks in reserve roles?

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