Five Knicks storylines and questions as training camp sets to open
Knicks forward Julius Randle reacts after injuring his shoulder in the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the Heat at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 27. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Knicks, coming off two consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals, enter training camp on Monday with expectations that haven’t accompanied the franchise in decades.
With an offseason that stoked as much optimism as their 50-win season — signing Jalen Brunson to a team-friendly extension, securing coach Tom Thibodeau’s future with the team and adding another Villanova standout in Mikal Bridges — the Knicks are not only in the conversation of title contenders, but also have earned praise from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as a smartly-managed organization.
Still, there are plenty of storylines and questions that need to be answered.
1. Man in the middle
While the Knicks have built a deep and talented roster, the one spot that always was going to be a question mark was at center, with Isaiah Hartenstein, who started 49 games last season, going to Oklahoma City in free agency. And the questions only grew louder after we learned that Mitchell Robinson would be sidelined at least until December or January.
While that news created a glut of panicked takes on how the Knicks could find a trade partner to fill that position, a source indicated that the team has known about Robinson’s status for a long time and haven’t panicked to pull the trigger on a deal.
The options for the starting spot are Jericho Sims, the lone true center, Precious Achiuwa and/or Julius Randle in the Knicks' small-ball lineup.
“We’ll probably have to do it by committee,” Thibodeau told NBA.com. “We’ll look at some different things, because we have versatility — we could see Julius more at the 5. I don’t want to do that for long stretches because it would take its toll, but to have him do it for 10 or 15 minutes, I think he can do it well. He also would create a lot of [offensive] advantages.”
2. Health check
Training camp will provide the first update on how Randle has recovered from the dislocated right shoulder he suffered in January and had surgically repaired in April.
Whether Randle has to fill minutes at center — something he is certainly capable of, particularly with OG Anunoby beside him — or simply return to the form he displayed in January (before his injury) after Anunoby was acquired, the Knicks need him more than those speculating on his trade value realize.
Randle is the only player aside from Brunson who demands a double team, allowing him to flourish in Thibodeau’s system of drawing two defenders and kicking the ball to an open shooter.
He also hasn’t gotten the extension he wants and that is the one lingering contract question the Knicks face.
3. Sacrifice
The question has come up on how Randle will fit in the lineup after Brunson flourished by necessity as injuries piled up last season. While the Knicks need Randle, they may not need the ball-dominant Randle they’ve had in the past.
But it’s not just Randle. Walt "Clyde" Frazier spoke this week about the sacrifice Earl Monroe made when the Knicks traded for the star to join him in the backcourt. That type of situation applies here now.
The addition of Bridges and return of Randle and Anunoby could mean bench roles for Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, who both played heavy minutes last season. Deuce McBride also will likely see less playing time.
4. A better Brunson
The common denominator for Jalen Brunson throughout his career — and really, since high school — has been that he's gotten better every season while exceeding expectations along the way.
So after a season in which he earned second-team All-NBA honors and finished fifth in the MVP balloting, can he get better?
His season ended in disappointment and injury. And while his contract extension — signing this summer rather than waiting for a larger deal next summer — allowed the team additional flexibility, he quickly reverted to form, getting in the gym and figuring out how to he can improve his game.
5. Robinson’s future
Once the Knicks lost Hartenstein, the need for Robinson escalated. And in the wake of another injury-riddled season, it’s easy to forget how important he was at the beginning of last season — dominating on the offensive glass and anchoring the defense. But at what point do the Knicks lose faith in counting on his health as part of their title hopes? Robinson has missed 146 games in six seasons and there is a fear that a player of his size with foot or leg injuries are prone to repeated problems.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
