Power Forwards
Julius Randle: Prediction – 34 minutes, 21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, on 55 percent shooting and 36 percent on three-pointers
Randle is a beast, and while in this scenario he doesn’t have the major uptick in the stats he has had the last couple of years, he should be able to improve his passing, defense, and three-point shooting this offseason to all league average or better this year.
This may be the year Randle finally becomes a league average defender and shooter. Not to mention, he is actually a pretty good playmaker for a big man, which is something the Knicks lacked last year, ranking 30th in assists. So expect him to become more of a team player and less of a black hole on offense, because if the New York Knicks want to succeed, they need him to put stats aside and just make the right plays.
Taj Gibson: Prediction – 5 mpg minutes, 2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, on 64 percent shooting and 35 percent on three-pointers
When it comes to Gibson, he is a great backup power forward, but there are only 240 minutes to give out to this hypothetical 10-man rotation. To be fair though, he is the next man up if an injury happens. If anything, without a guaranteed salary for 2020-21, the 34-year-old can be flipped for a draft pick at the deadline.