Focus on defense. Don't worry about offense this year, you won't have the firepower to contend for a title vs Cleveland or Golden State anyway. You need the ability to have 3-4 all stars right now to win a ring. Forget offense, focus on youth and defense.
For the veterans/experienced.
Hope Noah comes in better shape as he is our best big man defender and rebounder. The defense slipped most when Noah was out. Noah plays active D.
Lance Thomas plays defense. He can shoot the 3. Keeper.
Courtney Lee plays defense. He can shoot the 3 and create a little. Keeper.
Justin Holiday plays defense. He can shoot the 3 and mid-range J. Keeper. Need to be re-signed.
Sasha plays defense. He can shoot the 3. If he's there for vet min, I keep.
Kuzminskas plays little defense. He can shoot the 3. Drive a little. Cheap,so I keep him but as 2nd back up, not first backup.
O'Quinn is active, His defense isn't always effective but he does give effort. Cheap contract. Keep.
Derrick Rose plays no defense. He can't shoot. Great driver. Doesn't pass much. Let him walk.
Youth from last year is KP, Willy, Baker.
Before draft/FA/trades, rotation in mind:
Noah/Willy/O'Quinn
Porzingis/4
3/Thomas/Kuzminskas
Lee/Holiday/Sasha
1/Baker
Add defense/youth with Ntilikina with 8th pick. 18 years old. Long arms. Could be a smaller greek freak, or perhaps only a role player, but one who defends and can bring some combo guard skills. There's your "1" for next year, can share PG minutes with Baker.
Hope Boston loses out on Hayward in free agency. Then can't come to agreement for a trade with Indiana/Chicago for trade for George/Butler as asking price too high for players that are free agents in 2018.
If we can deal Melo to Boston for a deal centered around Crowder, and Boston can do this after free agency begins because they are way under the cap, then you could do Crowder and 2018 first round pick, for Melo straight up.
Knicks then re-sign Justin Holiday. In free agency, look to shore up defense at the 4 with someone like Amir Johnson, who is a versatile defender.
Final roster:
Noah/Willy/O'Quinn
Porzingis/Amir/NDour
Crowder/Thomas/Kuz
Lee/Holiday/Sasha
Ntilikina/Baker/Randle
As Porzingis evolves into a stronger player physically and better on offense we could be extremely good on defense with a lineup like Porzingis/Amir/Crowder/Holiday/Ntilikina. Also need Nti to develop well on offense.
The team in 2017-18 could be really bad possibly, which is ok, as you would draft top 5 next year. If by any chance the defensive ability changes things and now you have a defensive team that can compete almost every night, you then maybe get surprised at a team that pushes for a lower playoff spot being built around KP. KP is too young and not good enough to carry a team, but if the team plays really good defense and shoots well from outside, they could be competitive if KP can give us 22 points a night next year (which I think is possible). KP - 22, Crowder - 14, Lee - 12, Nti - 10, Willy - 12 points a game off the bench. Something like that.
