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Knicks need patience in preparing for important 2021 offseason

By Adam Kester

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: A 'we love New York' is displayed on a billboard outside the Madison Square Garden as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on August 29, 2020 in New York City. The fourth phase allows outdoor arts and entertainment, sporting events without fans and media production. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: A 'we love New York' is displayed on a billboard outside the Madison Square Garden as the city continues Phase 4 of re-opening following restrictions imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus on August 29, 2020 in New York City. The fourth phase allows outdoor arts and entertainment, sporting events without fans and media production. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – MARCH 04: Devin Vassell #24 of the Florida State Seminoles is seen during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on March 4, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Knicks 2020 NBA Draft

The 2020 NBA Draft class is similar to the 2020 free agency class in that there are a lot of nice players, but there does not seem to be a ton of star power, especially for the Knicks picking eighth.

There seems to be a growing desire among some Knicks fans to draft a “high floor” prospect. Someone who may not have superstar potential, but can potentially fill a vital role for a rebuilding team.

Despite all of the analysis that comes from experts, the draft will always be divisive and very much a crapshoot. If the Knicks somehow get a franchise player with their 8th pick this season, great. What they shouldn’t do with this draft is take someone with the expectation that they will become a cornerstone player.

Without getting too in-depth with prospect analysis, this draft has plenty of prospects who can thrive in today’s NBA as role players. Adding someone who can simply be a net-positive player for the struggling franchise is completely acceptable.

The name who fits the bill and has been rumored to have fans at MSG is forward Devin Vassell. Vassell may not be the franchise point guard that the Knicks so desperately need, but he can be an important piece to the team going forward.

The Florida State guard would immediately impact the Knicks with two things they were lacking this past season: defense and shooting. Two areas where New York will need to improve if they are going to take a step forward. Vassell isn’t the only option for the Knicks at 8, but hopefully, the player they select can help address some of their flaws from prior seasons.

The Knicks don’t need to be a playoff team in 2020-2021 for the season to be a success. The season is successful if they accomplish two things: develop players and establish an identity.

Bringing in new faces in 2020 cannot distract them from the growth of key young players RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson. It should make them stronger, and hopefully, start to establish a cohesive team structure.

This sets the stage for 2021.

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