New York Knicks: Five takeaways from 2019 NBA free agency
1. Nowhere to go but up with new additions
A 17-65 record marked the previous franchise-low for the New York Knicks, which happened in the 2014-15 season. Kristaps Porzingis was drafted after that and opened a brighter future. This time around, the No. 3 pick was used on Barrett, except with talented free-agent additions to join him and the other new faces.
The aforementioned free-agent signings are upgrades over departing players like Luke Kornet, Emmanuel Mudiay and Noah Vonleh, each of whom received short-term deals elsewhere. Vonleh contributed fine in separate areas, but Kornet and Mudiay were restricted to one side of the court.
Mario Hezonja played as inconsistently as anyone on the roster, as well, while DeAndre Jordan was always set to take a backseat to Robinson.
2019 NBA free agency may not result in any leap forward for the Knicks, at least to the postseason. Upgrading from 17 wins to something around 30, though? That seems realistic with talented, veteran players who have more upside than the pieces previously in place.
Along with them, there is the expected development from the now second-year players. If the game slows down for them, it could be an exciting season for the Knicks.
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Pieces are in place to make this an intriguing team. They are not title contenders, but trending up and out of 15th place in the Eastern Conference. Anything but that.