Knicks enter uncertain season after missing on big free agents
The New York Knicks had an eventful offseason from great draft selections to solid free agent signings, but it was lacking an important addition: a big-time star signing.
Starting with the draft in June, the Knicks held the third overall pick and the 47th overall pick. With the their third pick, they selected top prospect RJ Barrett from Duke University, giving the Knicks a young player to build around.
Barrett is a six-foot, seven-inch wing who is an elite driver and strong finisher, while his jump shot will keep you honest defensively. This pick is something the Knicks very much needed, as Barrett has the potential to be one of the best young players.
With the 47th pick, they selected Ignas Brazdeikas from the University of Michigan. Brazdeikas has a very similar skill set as Barrett, being a lefty with a respectable jumpshot and a tendency to drive to the basket.
Once free agency hit on June 30th, the Knicks did not live up to the media and fans expectations.
The Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant duo was portrayed to make a team up in New York, and they did, just not the Knicks. The Nets landed the Irving-Durant pairing and the Knicks “younger brother” won the free agency bid for the two.
With no superstar at Madison Square Garden, fans across the country labeled the Knicks’ offseason as a complete waste.
Knicks offseason signing Julius Randle.
Back in February, they traded star power forward Kristaps Porzingis to clear up two max slots for the two stars in free agency. Now, the situation the Knicks face is very similar to the previous season, when they won a whopping 29 wins.
Disappointment aside, general manager Scott Perry made the best of the “plan B” free agency, most notably signing 24-year-old Julius Randle to a three-year contract. Randle averaged 21 points and nine rebounds for the Pelicans last season, and he still has potential to improve as he takes on the lead role for the Knicks.
The Knicks also added Marcus Morris, who averaged 13 points per game as a starter for the Boston Celtics. Morris will be relied on to bring both scoring and defense to this New York team.
Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington and Reggie Bullock all signed two-year deals with the Knicks to wrap the offseason up. The best news is that Perry will have the option to either pick up the team option on these players, or let the player walk into free agency, at the end of this season.
New York will travel to San Antonio on Wednesday to start their new campaign with their “plan B” cast.
(Feature photo courtesy of CBS Sports.)
