3. Which young players will take a step forward?
Not only is there an eye on point guard, but the crop of young players at the New York Knicks’ disposal for the 2018-19 season. All can become a part of the solution, and there’s reason to believe at least one of them will emerge.
It starts with Ntilikina, who will look to improve on 5.9 points and 3.2 assists on 36.4 percent shooting. His primary value comes on defense, which should earn 20-plus minutes of playing time, but to take that next step forward, the 20-year-old must find efficiency from all parts of the floor.
The Knicks received a surprise from Allonzo Trier, an undrafted free agent that signed a two-way contract, in the preseason with 15.8 points—second to Enes Kanter’s16.3—on 54.1 percent shooting.
Trier’s contract remains what he signed last summer, but that won’t stop the organization from potentially turning it into a guaranteed deal. If he shines in the preseason finale and the allotted 45 days on the main roster, Knicks fans will see him at Madison Square Garden throughout the year and possibly as the most impressive rookie of the team’s class.
In the second round, New York snagged Mitchell Robinson, a lanky center without collegiate experience. That didn’t show in the Summer League, however, as well as a positive “welcome to the NBA” moment.
Robinson might need at least one year to take a step forward, learning the professional game in the process. Expectations are still high for his upside, and that could become a greater interest by October 2019.
The spotlight is on Kevin Knox, the No. 9 pick of the 2018 NBA Draft. He started all four preseason games (and will follow with the fifth)—an obvious sign of his use when Oct. 17 arrives. It’s confidence from Fizdale, who will seemingly let the aggressive rookie ride through positives and negatives, including inefficient scoring (34.9 percent shooting).
Behind Ntilikina, Knox will garner the most attention. How will he perform under the bright lights?
The rest of the roster contains youth, including Baker Damyean Dotson, Mario Hezonja, Noah Vonleh, all of whom are age 25 and under, but with lower expectations.
Will anyone step up to become part of this organization’s future?