New York Knicks: Five takeaways from 2019 NBA free agency

4. Outside shooting is finally addressed

The often-mentioned 34 percent on three-point shooting placed the New York Knicks near the bottom of the NBA. They struggled to keep up with the modern-day trend of outside shots from almost every roster, never finding consistency. Most players who provided this in 2018-19 were traded or waived.

To counter this, the front office sought players who spread the floor, and not just backcourt talents; Bobby Portis, Wayne Ellington and Julius Randle are all capable of this. If the Reggie Bullock situation sorts itself out, him too.

Players, in 2019, need to open the court at all spots. No longer is it just expected from guards, but the frontcourt, especially to help the athletic, rim-running center. In this case, it is Mitchell Robinson, who has rarely attempted a shot outside of two feet.

Point guard shooting, as noted, remains a question, which potentially hurts the Knicks in some situations. Upgrades are everyone else, though, including Randle, who improved his jump shot in his one year with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Along with Kevin Knox, RJ Barrett, Ignas Brazdeikis, Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson, there is suddenly a group of players to modernize the team. They may not become the Eastern Conference’s elite, but this is a superior unit to last season.