Which New York Knicks have the most to prove when training camp arrives later this month?
There are New York Knicks with something to prove during the regular season, but training camp starts it all. This is the first time the coaches and players will officially meet for the 2019-20 NBA season, which will see the orange and blue attempt to dig out of a 17-65 hole from the previous campaign.
Training camp starts on Tuesday, Sept. 30, and the expectations for the team include trying to sort out a crowded rotation and decide who will start in the preseason and opening night against the San Antonio Spurs.
This early prep is a proving ground for players. A handful of them are fighting just to have NBA jobs, including those on Exhibit 10 contracts, which guarantee $50,000 if the player is waived and joins that organization’s G League team. Amir Hinton, VJ King, Lamar Peters and Kenny Wooten are New York’s current Exhibit 10 players and will be part of training camp.
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Otherwise, it is a first look for recent draft picks. Summer league provides this, but training camp lets these players compete against NBA talents, rather than those who may not see the main roster in their respective careers. RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikis will enter as New York’s first and second round picks, respectively.
Players also open the competition for starting spots. Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, head coach David Fizdale told Kevin Knox that no starters have been determined. This is reminiscent of Fizdale’s stance before the 2018-19 season, when he created a roster-wide battle for the opening night lineup.
That provides even more for players to aim for in late September and early October. They will have something to prove to the coaching staff. Perhaps a player or two surprises the coaches, similar to Frank Ntilikina starting on 2018’s opening night, except off the ball.
Which players are in a prove-it position this time around for the New York Knicks? Let’s take a look.