Fans cheer for the home team at Madison Square Garden . Stephen A. Smith laughed again. How things have changed for the New York Knicks , but we have reason to believe that these good times will go beyond this season. The Knicks are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 37-30 record.
Here are three reasons why the Knicks will build on what they already have.
1. The Knicks' rookie
Oklahoma City Thunder is the gold standard for draft picks, but having seven first-round picks isn't too bad. It must be said that head coach Tom Thibodeau has always been known for giving rookies limited minutes.
The eighth pick Obi Tropin barely played because Julius Randle has become an All-Star . It's too early to dismiss Trapin. On draft day bought Emmanuel Quickley looked like the better option.
Despite the stalemate at guard, Quickley was often on the floor as a backup scorer. Over time, he should be able to refine his game and become more consistent.
If Quickley's move and acquisition of big man Mitchell Robinson in the second round are a sign of future draft success, then New York is on the right track. Additionally, if teams feel they have the right roster, they can use the draft money to trade an already established star .
2. Lineup
Speaking of lineups, the Knicks have assembled a talented young core, a tough identity. Randle made his first All-Star team this year, and there's no reason to think it should be his last. Only 20 years old, R.J. Barrett has shown the discipline and work ethic to further his game.He's more than a consolation prize for not getting Zion Williams and Ja Morant. The
front office just needs to take care of Randall and Barrett's contracts and development, and the team will be ready for years to come.
When healthy, the 23-year-old Robinson can provide a solid presence on the defensive end, with his size and athleticism being an anchor. Some teams would envy having so many up-and-coming talents.
3.free agencymarket
Despite the benefits of playing for a big market team and the prestige of playing for a legendary team, the Knicks haven't been a target of free agency recently. However, that may change as the team succeeds in the offseason.
Now, the upcoming free agent is Kawhi Leonard . New York is known for recruiting stars. As the team progresses, they may hit home runs. A lot of swings and turnovers in the past may not matter much this coming summer, because if players knew the Knicks were good, they would want to play at Madison Square Garden (especially with the fans).
If the Knicks opted for a more frugal approach, they could go after Ball and Dennis Schroeder. Ball is an interesting choice because Thibodeau prioritizes defense and Ball is one of the best defensive backs due to his high basketball IQ and structure. Ball, meanwhile, is at his best when playing fast, which is not why New York has been successful this season. Schroder added another scorer and playmaker.
The Knicks have a brighter future ahead.
