Knicks head coach David Fizdale will face a difficult challenge this season as he attempts to juggle a rotation that features a handful of young prospects who need playing time to develop and several veterans who are in de facto contract years.
As Ian Begley of SNY.tv writes, there will likely be nights when Knicks players who came into the season expecting to see regular minutes don’t play much, if at all. In fact, sources tell Begley that there has “already been some grumbling” about minutes and roles.
Begley cautions that complaints about minutes and roles are fairly common around the league and that all teams deal with the issue to some degree. Still, it might not be a great sign that the “grumbling” in New York has begun before the team has even played a single regular season game.
The Knicks’ young core includes RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, and Dennis Smith Jr., all of whom should see regular minutes if the club is committed to player development. Frank Ntilikina, Allonzo Trier, Ignas Brazdeikis, and Damyean Dotson could also be part of that group, though New York may not be as heavily invested in those youngsters.
Meanwhile, veterans Bobby Portis, Marcus Morris, Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington, and Elfrid Payton are all essentially on one-year deals, with non-guaranteed salaries or team options for 2020/21, so they’ll all expect to play. Reggie Bullock will fall into that boat too once he’s healthy. Julius Randle, who has a multiyear contract, also figures to play major minutes for the Knicks.
While it’s not clear which players are already grumbling about their playing time, it’s easy to see why there may not be enough minutes to go around.
A lot of mediocre to good players that play the same position all with their own personal agendas. Should be great times in the Garden
It won’t be a problem for long. NY is going to put all the one year guys on the trade block December 15.
Too many guys In same position. Too many vets on a team that needs to prioritize young players
In my opinion, the only players that should see major minutes are the following:
RJ Barrett
Marcus Morris
Julius Randle
Kevin Knox hasn’t shown me that he is a good player and I would put him on the trading block.
All part of Mills’s master plan. /s
It’s hard to outsmart everyone, which is sort of what the Mills plan requires. I think it was alright until the last straw, “stealing” Marcus Morris. That was too much, and for little gain… The hole he fills was already well filled.
Or they should have signed Morris before they signed the other bigs, as was suggested before the offseason
Add Bobby Portis to that list
He is gonna be the enforcer this team needs
It’s an idiotically constructed roster for a rebuilding team, but most of the FAs signed (for above market $$) knowing that. The legitimate complaints could only come from the younger guys who won’t get the roles and minutes they need to develop. And, of course, the fans that have to watch this mess.
They built this roster to trade it. They can turn all the veterans into a young player, a second round pick, or cash, even if they only accept expiring contracts in return.
The problem is that trade value is based on quality play. They can’t flip Morris for a second rounder if he’s mad about playing time and pouting on the bench.
If that’s the plan (overpay mid tier players in volume and hope you can trade some of them for 2nd round picks), it’s a bad one. The cap space they used to sign these guys could have been sold for 1st rounders (vs 2nds), without clogging the depth chart for the first part of the season denying minutes to guys they need to make calls on this year.
I feel like I remember saying this the day they signed a thousand centers, and brought in an extra wing…
“De facto” sighting in the first paragraph!
Dennis Smith threw a tantrum about minutes in Dallas, so wouldn’t be surprised if he has already started whining again in NY.
After viewing the 4 preseason games and the open scrimmage, here is a fan impression in reverse order of expected rotation time:
Reggie – Not expecting a contribution until the weather warms up if then. Might be a nice bargain in 20-21.
Iggy – Had some hope that his catch and shoot 3 game might translate, it doesn’t. Plays small on defense. Needs to be in Westchester. Still has future value
Dot – Might contribute later if his 3 and D game is productive and others falter. Not in the top 10 rotation to open the season.
The 3 point guards – just a dumpster fire in this small sample. I expect Fiz to make one a CD-DNP every game. I am happy that they are all trying to stay agressive but all have a long way to go. RJ may be forced to take a lot of minutes there if none of the 3 can resemble a league average player.
Zo – Needs to make the catch and shoot 3 to open up the rest of his game. Too predictably right handed. Likely to lead the team in offensive fouls if the league tightens up the off hand push off on the drive. Needs to improve lateral movement on D. Fringe rotation player until the 3 ball is established.
Wayne Ellington – One dimensional player but his outside threat helps everybody even if he gets lost in the half court set for stretches. Better defensive chops and ball handling than I remembered. 2nd unit.
Taj – More polished offensive arsenal than I remembered. D and rebounding at the 4. 2nd unit and steps up if any of the bigs get into foul trouble.
Kevin Knox – A lot more offensived polish this year for all 3 levels. Still plays small and can’t move laterally on D. Marcus Morris and the other vet bigs will drive his development as much as his minutes will. 2nd unit and will finish close games when he is productive.
Bobby Portis – I may be the high man on him in Knicks fandom. I like his offensive instincts and can carry the offense when it is stagnant. D is better than I remember which makes him passable. Nice 2nd unit guy to sub in for Mitch.
Mitch – The only true rim protector and a quality perimeter defender. Needs to start and stay out of foul trouble for the NYKs to succeed.
Marcus Morris – Easily the best Knick during preseason. No reason to to believe that he won’t produce on both sides of the ball. Probably more of a 26-30 minute guy on most nights.
RJ – Still a long way to go shooting from the perimeter. Good instincts offensively and passible defensively which is a high compliment for a player his age. The NYKs are really big when he plays point which might happen a lot. Going to get a lot of minutes until/unless he hits the rookie wall.
Julius Randle – Impossible to guard in the paint without help. Decision making and shot selection will determine his value. Involved defensively on the perimeter but not as dominant as I would like in the low block. If he stays healthy, he is is built for 2nd half basketball. All star level is his upside but still a reach.
Wayne Ellington –