3. Lineup flexibility for head coach David Fizdale
Before the 2018-19 season started, New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale preached positionless basketball, with players not being locked into one spot of the lineup. He could move them around and tinker with different groups.
Fizdale arguably did this early in the season, when Frank Ntilikina‘s role varied from the middle of the lineup to playing point guard. Mario Hezonja also bounced around, including playing point forward down the stretch. Otherwise, it was hard to create flexibility for a group that struggled to win games.
For Fizdale’s second go-around, he has these flexible pieces, and some of them are returning to the team; Kevin Knox is the closest piece to this from last season’s team, especially with the abundance of forwards added, which lets him play either spot opposite the center.
Morris can handle both forward spots and has the 6-foot-9 frame to play an undersized center. He did this for the Boston Celtics over the past two years. Now, it transitions to playing alongside Mitchell Robinson in certain situations.
Randle was always a classic power forward, but his developing game should let Fizdale swing him between that position and center. Portis’ size and ability to shoot the ball allows a similar scenario.
If the Knicks ever have Bullock, his 6-foot-7 frame can work either shooting guard or small forward. The same for Barrett.
There are still two months until Fizdale’s plans are known, but, on paper, he has pieces to move around the lineup and consistently try something different with.