1 area of improvement for each key Knicks player in 2022-23

What do the Knicks wing players need to improve?

RJ Barrett: Finishing

This was a no-brainer. Everyone knows finishing has been the worst and, simultaneously, most dissatisfying part of Barrett’s game.

It’s such a shame too when you consider how easily Barrett has been able to attack the rim ever since he was a rookie, despite not having an above-average handle. At times, he has looked like a world-beater when he gets to the cup. However, much like his teammate Immanuel Quickley, he has also looked so downright pitiful at times that it severely depresses his efficiency numbers.

Consistency is the key for Barrett if he wants to make the leap to All-Star status this season. His overall offensive skillset can certainly use consistency, but a player of Barrett’s archetype shouldn’t be struggling like he does when it comes to finishing, so he needs to focus on cleaning that up first.

Quentin Grimes: Shot creation

Perhaps Grimes has already improved in this area, as he displayed some promising scoring chops during Summer League. It remains to be seen how many opportunities he will get with the ball in his hands this season, but hopefully, it will be a decent amount.

After all, Grimes was reportedly “untouchable” in trade talks for Donovan Mitchell. Clearly, the Knicks have high hopes for Grimes’ ceiling if that was indeed the case. While 3-and-D players are very valuable in the league, a rookie dawning that description who doesn’t display potential to become a respectable isolation scorer is not what dictates being untouchable.

Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau will be largely responsible for giving him the minutes and touches to prove their expectations to be correct. However, Grimes, of course, will be the one who needs to get buckets.

Evan Fournier: Being more like “Magic” Fournier

Being that he is a veteran heading into his 11th NBA season, Fournier is another Knicks player who is too old to be expected to show considerable development. However, he can hopefully still improve by having a bounce-back season.

Many fans were underwhelmed by EF’s performance, and rightfully so, as he shot the lowest FG% of his career (41.7%) since his sophomore season (41.9%). Aside from surprisingly stellar three-point shooting, Fournier produced very little on either end of the court for New York.

We saw flashes of the player that averaged 16 PPG in seven seasons with the Orlando Magic. During those years, he was much more reliable as a shot creator and even as a distributor. For as long as he remains with this team, the Knicks need Fournier to be much more productive, especially as a secondary ball handler and scorer.

Cam Reddish: Anything and everything

Cam Reddish may be the one player on the Knicks whose impact in team practices will heavily influence what playing time (if anything) he receives in games when the roster is fully healthy. The story of Reddish making it to New York has become infamous among fans; despite being moved for a first-round pick (it was heavily protected, but still), Reddish only played in 15 of 19 potential games when he wasn’t hurt and averaged just 14.3 MPG.

Additionally, the “3-and-D” wing shot just 25.8% from three off of the bench. There were definitely moments where Cam played great and even flashed the star potential many people have identified with him since his high school basketball days, but overall he was underwhelming.

Reddish is in a similar boat as Grimes — his ability to develop and prove his worth is partially in Tom Thibodeau’s hands, except he hasn’t earned Thib’s admiration like QG has.

Hopefully, Reddish can display enough (anything positive) in practice that allows him to earn the trust of his coach. He is also playing for a second NBA contract, and if he is going to get that from New York’s front office, he has to show he has made strides in his game, in and out of the spotlight.