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NY Knicks: 3 ways the team can improve in time for 2022-23 season

By James Nolan

Apr 2, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin (1) celebrates with New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) after scoring a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin (1) celebrates with New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) after scoring a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks. (Photo by Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports) /

2. Trade away veterans to pave the way for the kids

New York has a plethora of young talent on its roster. From Barrett to Miles McBride, this team has lots of young players who have a great amount of potential. Fans loved what they saw from the so-called “Knicks kids” this season.

The younger players struggled to see time on the floor this year, which is something that annoyed the fanbase. Burks, Noel, and Randle are just some of the veterans that New York should consider moving. The Knicks are not winning a championship with those players acting as the focal points of the team.

Barrett’s morphing into a cornerstone piece for New York and now they need to allow its young core to develop around him. We’ve seen that Barrett works much better with the younger players than the older players on the roster. For example, his play with Toppin has stood out because of how quick they can get out in transition.

Toppin needs to see more time on the floor, which is part of the reason the front office must part ways with veteran Randle in the upcoming offseason. We saw the second-year forward start in Randle’s absence to close out the season. In the 10 games that Toppin started this year, he averaged:

  • 20.3 points per game
  • 7.0 rebounds per game
  • 57.1 field goal percentage
  • 43.6 3-point percentage

Toppin, along with many of the other young Knicks players, has developed into a fan favorite because of the potential that he’s shown. Along with Toppin, rookies such as Jericho Sims, Quentin Grimes, and McBride are guys who have fans excited for what the future holds.

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