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New York Knicks: Who is the 2018 preseason most important for?

By Rob Wolkenbrod

PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 12 : Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - FEBRUARY 12 : Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on February 12, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 25: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 25: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 25, 2018 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Trey Burke

Frank Ntilikina might place at No. 2 on the point guard depth chart, but it’s the player ahead of him, Trey Burke, that has more pressure in the 2018 preseason to step up and stay ahead.

When the New York Knicks signed Burke and placed him in the G League, it was a last chance effort to make an impression to not just this organization, but everyone in the NBA. He followed through with the Westchester Knicks and performed well upon call-up. Now, it must translate to a full season.

As the initial starter, Burke potentially has an inside track on the job. Maybe it lasts for each preseason game and into the regular season, but on a one-year deal and Ntilikina behind him, the veteran guard must find consistency throughout the 2018-19 season, or enough to ensure trust in the coaching staff.

If Burke struggles initially, however, it could force Ntilikina, or even Mudiay into longer looks, especially as both players fit the “positionless basketball” mantra better, given their physical frames.

The Michigan product’s 36-game run in 2017-18 gave him a leg up on the competition. Can he sustain it, though, in a contract season that could garner a multi-year deal in the 2019 offseason?

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