The New York Knicks experienced a disappointing year last season after a successful 2020-21. They definitely attempted to address their concerns, which will be interesting to watch in just a couple of weeks. If anything, however, the Knicks should be better than last season.
New York Knicks 2022-23 Season Preview
Roster Changes
The two biggest departures from the Knicks this offseason have been Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel. Kemba Walker is also gone, although he was rarely a part of the team last season.
Burks was solid for New York and he averaged about 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game. He was an excellent player off the bench, although at times started at the one for the team. Noel was a strong defensive presence, especially with rebounding and blocks, but he struggled to stay healthy.
The biggest acquisition was that of Jalen Brunson, formerly of the Dallas Mavericks. Brunson was always a solid player, although broke out for Dallas in last year’s playoffs. His performances versus the Utah Jazz, especially when Luka Doncic was out, showed that he was ready for a big-time starting gig. New York gave him that. He’ll now be tasked with leading the offense for one of the biggest sports brands in the entire world.
Isaiah Hartenstein was another sneaky-good addition, and he’ll effectively be replacing Noel. Hartenstein was a great presence in the frontcourt for the LA Clippers last season and was actually one of the top paint defenders in the entire league. This move flew under the radar, but it shouldn’t for long.
A More Complete Team
The Knicks roster looks pretty complete top-to-bottom.
They finally have a reliable point guard in Brunson. Although Brunson can lead and score in bunches, it remains to be seen if he can consistently facilitate the ball. With that being said, New York is in their best point guard position in quite a while.
RJ Barrett needs to take another step forward but remains a great scorer. His efficiency must be improved, but perhaps that will happen alongside Brunson. Another fiery scorer is Evan Fournier. Fans can expect solid offense from him, but his defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Julius Randle broke out in 2020-21, although he fell back last season. A return to All-Star ways will be excellent for the Knicks, although Randle can still contribute well.
The center rotation between Mitchell Robinson and Hartenstein should be very underrated. They will be a menacing defensive duo.
The bench looks solid as well. Derrick Rose remains an effective veteran. Immanuel Quickley is already a reliable bench player. Obi Toppin showed flashes last season and could become a legitimate sixth man. Quentin Grimes looks like a break-out waiting to happen. Finally, New York still has Cam Reddish and the potential he holds.
Expectations for the New York Knicks Season
Making the playoffs through the Eastern Conference will be no easy task.
There are the top dogs like the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat.
The Toronto Raptors will always be solid. The Atlanta Hawks added a major weapon in Dejounte Murray. Surprisingly, the Brooklyn Nets may walk into next season without major trades. The Chicago Bulls are also a threat. It also has to be mentioned that the young Cleveland Cavaliers added a star in Donovan Mitchell.
That’s already nine teams. New York will face an uphill climb to make the playoffs.
With that being said, everything can come together. Randle, Barrett, and Brunson are all players who can average 20+ points per game. There are other weapons on both sides of the floor. New York is back to being a legitimate playoff competitor in the sense of staying within the top 10 in the East all season long.
