The Knicks open training camp this week. Here’s a breakdown of what to look out for before the season begins.
Best battle
The biggest unanswered question, just like a year ago, is the starting two-guard. Quentin Grimes is the incumbent and will get the first shot at the position.
His training camp was derailed last season because of a foot injury, but the 23-year-old recovered to nudge Evan Fournier into a DNP regular. Most importantly to Tom Thibodeau, Grimes represented the lineup’s best on-ball defender.
It provided him heavy minutes, but Grimes was benched in the playoffs for Josh Hart, who recently signed an $81 million extension.
The Knicks also just paid $50 million to another guard, Donte DiVincenzo. They’re returning Immanuel Quickley, who should’ve won Sixth Man of the Year. Only one of those four can start.
Most intriguing rookie
None. The Knicks are young but can’t be viewed as a rebuild with zero first-round picks in the past two years.
Trevor Keels, a second-rounder, represented the team’s only pick since 2022.
He was traded recently as a G-League throwaway. The shame is that Leon Rose did well with his late first-round picks — Quickley (2020) and Grimes (2021) — but he punted in 2022 for cap space and traded the 2023 pick for Hart.
Story to watch develop
On the court, it’s Julius Randle. He bombed in the playoffs and underwent ankle surgery in June.
The procedure was minor and Randle should be fully recovered, but there can’t be enough significance attached to the 28-year-old’s health and explosiveness.
It separates Randle’s All-Star seasons from his duds. We’ll monitor his mobility in the preseason.
Off the court, the story is Fournier. He doesn’t want to waste another season on the bench and is public about his discontent.
There’s no clear solution other than a trade. Assuming he’s again out of the rotation, we’ll get an early taste of his tolerance for the situation.
Coach’s toughest challenge
Keeping it fresh. We’re getting ahead of ourselves, but no Knicks coach has lasted four full seasons since Jeff Van Gundy.
Most coaches have an expiration date on keeping players engaged, and it’s up to Thibodeau to adapt to not only the NBA trends, but also the evolution of his personnel. It helps to have important supporters in Leon Rose and Jalen Brunson.
But Thibodeau was still sitting on a hot seat early last season. Then he demonstrated his versatility by installing a top-four rated offense and tinkering the rotation.
What’s the big adjustment in Year 4? How can he drive RJ Barrett to improve defensively? How will he handle a rotation with too many guards and only one power forward? Ignoring Randle’s mood swings hasn’t helped so far, so maybe try a different tact with the All-Star.
Most intriguing newcomer
Easy: DiVincenzo. He’s the only newcomer in the rotation, and much of the hopes around team improvement from last season are attached to his arrival. Culturally and socially, it’ll be an easy transition.
Three of his former Villanova teammates are on the roster. It should also be seamless on the court. DiVincenzo understands his role.
Most notable absence
Also easy: Obi Toppin. He’s the only departing member of last season’s rotation and was traded for peanuts (two protected second-round picks).
The Knicks don’t have an obvious replacement for backup minutes vacated by Toppin, leaving the sense they’ll mix together rotations with Josh Hart, Barrett and perhaps even Sims at power forward.
Randle, assuming he’s healthy, eats up most of those minutes anyway. It’s a big reason why Toppin never worked in New York. Opportunities were slim with Randle on the roster.
Most to prove
Quickley. Before we indulge the contract conversation, it’s worth remembering how his season ended. He went from a catalyst in the regular season to a liability in the playoffs.
Then, Quickley suffered a sprained ankle and missed the final three games. Add in the crowded guard rotation and the pressing contract extension negotiations — which has to be resolved before the regular season begins — and Quickley has a lot on his plate heading to Charleston.
Don’t be surprised if…
Hart is the backup power forward. Despite being 6-foot-4, he manned the position in the playoffs then for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup. Hart is an elite rebounder for his size and a more versatile defender than Barrett, another option at power forward.
Roster breakdown
Ryan Arcidiacono (Age: 29 Guard 6-3, 195)
Traded away last season but returned to join his former Villanova teammates and compete for a final roster spot.
RJ Barrett (Age: 23 Guard/Forward 6-6, 214)
With his big extension kicking in, Barrett is coming off a strong postseason but has struggled with inconsistency in his four seasons.
Charlie Brown Jr. (Age: 26 Guard 6-6, 199)
Earned a training camp invitation as the Knicks’ top player in Summer League, but a roster spot far from guaranteed.
Jalen Brunson (Age: 27 Guard 6-1, 190)
Established himself as the team’s star and leader last season. The Knicks finally found the answer at point guard, though his performance in the World Cup wasn’t great.
Evan Fournier (Age: 30 Guard 6-6, 205)
He’s in his prime. Entering a contract year. Out of the rotation. It’s a bad mix, and Fournier wants out.
Quentin Grimes Age: 23 Guard 6-4, 210)
A two-way threat and ready for a big leap after missing last season’s training camp because of a foot injury.
Josh Hart (Age: 28 Forward 6-4, 215)
The team’s glue guy is participating in his first Knicks training camp. His acquisition last season was the turning point toward success.
Isaiah Hartenstein (Age: 25 Center 7-0, 250)
Played all 82 games last season while reinventing himself as a gritty, rebounding/rim protecting center.
DaQuan Jeffries (Age: 26 Guard 6-5, 222)
Suffered a concussion in training camp last year and is still waiting for his first game with the Knicks after a stint in Westchester.
Nathan Knight (Age: 26 Forward 6-8, 253)
Signed a two-way deal in the summer after three years of NBA experience, including as a backup last season with the T’wolves.
Jaylen Martin (Age: 19 Forward 6-6, 196
Far from NBA ready but the most intriguing Knicks rookie after playing last season at Overtime Elite. He’s on a two-way deal and should get plenty of run in Westchester.
Miles McBride (Age: 22 Guard 6-1, 195)
A gritty defender but is stuck in a numbers crunch with so many guards ahead in the rotation.
Immanuel Quickley (Age: 24 Guard 6-3, 190)
Increased his shooting percentage and his defensive intensity last season, setting up the potential for a big contract extension.
Julius Randle (Age: 28 Forward 6-8, 250)
Coming off ankle surgery with a new haircut, new agent and new Bruce Lee tattoo, Randle is the oldest player in the rotation with much to prove in the playoffs.
Mitchell Robinson (Age: 25 Center 7-0, 240)
His trainer boasted of an expanded offensive repertoire from summer workouts, but Robinson will undoubtedly stick to what he does best: rebounding, protecting the rim and finishing in the paint.
Isaiah Roby (Age: 25 Forward 6-8, 230)
Fighting for guaranteed money and a spot in the rotation as a backup power forward.
Jericho Sims (Age: 24 Center 6-9, 250)
Returning from shoulder surgery and needing to re-establish himself as a rotation player, rather than a benchwarmer.
Jacob Toppin (Age: 23 Forward 6-9, 204)
Obi Toppin’s brother will have a tough time making the final roster as an undrafted rookie on a non-guaranteed deal.
Duane Washington Jr. (Age: 23 Guard 6-2,197)
The nephew of former Knicks coach Derek Fisher, Washington has some NBA experience with the Suns and Pacers but spent the end of last season in G-League.
Dylan Windler (Age: 27, Forward 6-6, 196)
The former first-round pick had one more year of eligibility for this two-way contract because his 2019-20 rookie campaign was wiped out due to injury.
