EwingsGlass wrote:I’m keeping my eye on Knox this season. He’s shooting 44% from 3, seen some solid play. Not saying he is 100% ready, but sometimes I think he has higher upside than Barrett. Then I’ll see Barrett work with a little floor space and wonder what is going on...

Barrett just has more upside because of the intangibles and drive and all of that. Knox lacks those things but seems like he can settle into a high quality reserve shooting specialist. I didn’t count him as a core piece but I definitely think he’s a possible keeper.

2 yrs ago I thought the Nets young core was pretty solid and you see what happen, same thing with the Lakers.

Building Organic is a thing of the past like CD's and Cassette Tapes, it's only about 2 or 3 teams in the past 30+ yrs that have had won it all that way..GSW, BULLS, Spurs

Also there's so much flexibility with so many short term contracts in todays NBA, just imaging Pippins Contract issue with Bull in todays game, he would have been gone before that 72 win season

Knixkik wrote:

EwingsGlass wrote:I’m keeping my eye on Knox this season. He’s shooting 44% from 3, seen some solid play. Not saying he is 100% ready, but sometimes I think he has higher upside than Barrett. Then I’ll see Barrett work with a little floor space and wonder what is going on...

Barrett just has more upside because of the intangibles and drive and all of that. Knox lacks those things but seems like he can settle into a high quality reserve shooting specialist. I didn’t count him as a core piece but I definitely think he’s a possible keeper.

Barrett really is a Jack of all trades. 11 boards yesterday and played good D. This in addition to being a good facilitator as a passer

His free throw shooting is way better this year. Once his 3-pointer becomes more consistent he will be really good

knicks1248 wrote:All Though I like all of those guys, In order to have a core you have to level up every season and win in the playoffs(see Tatum and Brown), until then, these are just "try outs"

2 yrs ago I thought the Nets young core was pretty solid and you see what happen, same thing with the Lakers.

Building Organic is a thing of the past like CD's and Cassette Tapes, it's only about 2 or 3 teams in the past 30+ yrs that have had won it all that way..GSW, BULLS, Spurs

Also there's so much flexibility with so many short term contracts in todays NBA, just imaging Pippins Contract issue with Bull in todays game, he would have been gone before that 72 win season

I think most of us acknowledge the team will need a big trade or free agent signing to really become that team, but I’m hoping for a Heat, Jazz, or Nuggets development curve where the core group grows and excels together and a piece is added later that really gives them that big jump. Miami in particular had their core and added Butler. Nuggets haven’t added that major piece although Millsap can be considered that to an extent.

A few 2022 free agents to keep an eye on: Beal and LaVine and another tier includes Smart and Rozier.

Nalod wrote:winning breeds confidence. Especially after a 5 game losing streak.
Goal for the year I’m sure has many facets. Developing the young payers from game one to game 72 is one of them.
Limited Gleague and tight schedule makes it harder for all 30 teams.
We started the year thinking Randle should come off the bench. Now he is playing like an allstar. Development.
IQ might be our starter!
Fans pleaded two games ago for RJ to stop shooting. Now the kid is hitting better.
Mitch is not fouling like a fool.
Knox smooth stroke is earning 16 quality min a game.

I’d say there is progress with the kids. Now if we can get one or both of Smith and the still 22 year old Frankie on the train we’d be going places!!!

I agree all these guys are really showing positive signs. I think Toppin is next. What’s interesting about Mitch is his per minutes stats have fallen off a cliff, but you watch him and can clearly see a much better player than last year. Player development is measured in all shapes and sizes. Knox is becoming the shooter we always hoped even if he’s not the all around player we wanted with the 9th pick. If he can remain a low volume 40% 3pt shooter than I believe he’s a rotation player long term for us which we didn’t necessary see up to this point.

TPercy wrote:I’m not counting Knox out...but I’m also not counting Toppin out as a starter nor Barrett or IQ as bench guys. Still want to see more development but everything seems to be trending in the right direction

Yep. I wouldn't classify anyone in this roster as untouchable, but it clearly isn't suffering from the talent droughts if the past several seasons. It looks like a couple of our youngins are starting to sprout and there is a decent foundation.

Uptown wrote:Looking at this roster from the front office perspective, I think Randle's future is still up in the air. There were rumors that we were trying to move up for Obi and they were ecstatic when he fell to us @ 8. The front office didn't draft Obi to be a spark off the bench 2-3 years from now. Not sure if the front office anticipated Randle's bump in play or not but either way its a good problem to have.

Randle is on the books for this year and next; more than enough time to see if Randle's allstar level play is an aberration or if this is the new Randle. His usage is the highest its ever been in his career, and obviously, Randle is the number 1 option out of obligation. Obviously, more talent is needed, specifically a player that's a better facilitator and shooter than Randle, imo. I still wonder about the Randle, RJ, Mitch fit for stretches...

This summer, and perhaps even by the trade deadline, the picture will be more clear. If we are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, or if we secure a top 5 pick this summer, I wouldn't be surprised if Randle is moved.

Randle’s future here my not be solidified yet but he’s a CAA guy, a Kentucky guy, and for better or worse Perry is still GM and Randle was his big signing, so that’s still a factor here. Obi wasn’t drafted to be a backup, however the minutes won’t be an issue going forward. As long as he can play alongside Randle, he can still get 30 mpg behind Randle and Mitch when he’s ready for that. I think about Marcus Smart who was drafted 5th overall as an nba ready player and has never really been a full time starter but has always had starter minutes and is easily a top 100 player in the league. Toppin could still have that role for the Knicks even with Randle here long term.