Knicks need patience in preparing for important 2021 offseason

This upcoming offseason is important for the New York Knicks, mostly to put themselves in position for 2021.

It was yet another disappointing draft lottery for the New York Knicks. After falling two spots in the draft order, they will be picking 8th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Creating high expectations that a miracle will happen, only for a disappointing reality, is like clockwork for the Knicks and their fans.

Now, New York must play with the cards they’ve been dealt. So let’s take a quick look at the current state of the team, where they can begin to make adjustments, and how the moves they make in the near-term will help prepare them for an important 2021 offseason.

The Knicks’ current roster is composed of young, homegrown prospects with indeterminate futures, along with some veteran fill-ins. I don’t want to get too much into weighing the values of the Knicks’ current players, but simply put, no one is untouchable.

RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson are the two youngsters whose play on the court has flashed all-star potential more consistently than others. While other recently drafted players are intriguing, they still have a lot to prove.

The Knicks’ veterans also haven’t done much, and many of them are expected to be cut this upcoming offseason. Looking for possible return candidates, Elfrid Payton provided playmaking and defense that was otherwise been absent from the Knicks this past season; and Taj Gibson’s leadership and experience with Tom Thibodeau may find him playing another season in New York.

Still, it’s very likely that most of the Knicks veterans will be let go, which will give team president Leon Rose plenty of flexibility to revamp the roster.

Let’s take a look at how the team should approach using their cap space and their upcoming draft picks in preparing for a 2021 offseason where they can make greater strides in improving their team.