The Knicks were active in the offseason but didn’t land the big names many fans hoped. Here’s a look at some of the issues heading into camp:
Best Position Battle: Point guard
The battle royale at training camp will — again — be at point guard. Last camp, it featured Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina waging the playmaking war. Mudiay (Jazz) and Burke (76ers) are gone. GM Scott Perry signed old fave Elfrid Payton to battle Dennis Smith Jr. and Ntilikina, the longest-tenured Knick. Smith worked heavily on his 3-point shot with assistant Keith Smart. Payton has flair as an athletic penetrator and was not signed for $8 million this season to play second fiddle. Ntilikina bested Kemba Walker in World Cup. Can’t wait.
Most Intriguing Rookie: RJ Barrett
Wearing a pink suit on draft night, Barrett has the flash and dash to become New York’s next superstar. But does the third-overall pick wield the 3-point shot and unstoppable driving ability central in his amateur career to make it as an NBA star? Every Barrett dribble will be scrutinized in training camp, after the 19-year-old shot just 24 percent from 3-point land in five summer-league games. The 6-foot-7 shooting guard came on after a brutal start, securing a near triple-double in the finale (21 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists). But NBA scouts wonder if he’s explosive enough to get to the basket on the next level. One scout says Barrett has to continue to apply his scoring mentality as a rookie. “He may need to be selfish with this group,’’ the scout said. “Smith, [Julius] Randle, [Kevin] Knox, [Bobby] Portis will look to score.”
Story to Watch Develop: Can Knox make second-year leap?
NBA insiders believe the 2018 lottery pick has a chance to make a legitimate jump, much in the way a former Perry pick, Sacramento’s PG D’Aaron Fox, did last season as a sophomore. Prematurely, Knox was thrust into the permanent starting lineup at small forward in mid-December despite deep defensive deficiencies and an inefficient offensive game. Teammates didn’t believe Fizdale held him accountable enough. At this camp, Knox, 20, will be pressed for the starting role by veteran free-agent forward pickup Marcus Morris, whose known for gritty D. But Knox’s upper body is more defined, and he was better late in the season from 3 and in getting at the rim.
Coach’s Toughest Challenge: Managing everyone’s playing time
For the most part, David Fizdale did a swell job keeping guys on the same page and unified last season with his many rotations — unless your name was Enes Kanter. Now Fizdale takes on a roster with 15 players who were major elements of NBA rotations last season. Keeping all the guards satisfied with minutes might be impossible. Figuring out a coherent rotation has never looked more complex, though the coach gets a break early with Reggie Bullock’s spinal-fusion-surgery rehab. Fizdale’s best trait is establishing camaraderie.
Most Intriguing Newcomer: Randle
The $63 million man will feel more pressure than he ever did as a Lakers 2014 lottery pick or last season in New Orleans during a breakout year on a losing club. After averaging 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds, the 6-foot-9 Randle is likely the No. 1 option with a No. 1 contract. Randle has never been on a winning team nor been considered a quality defender. Perhaps the 24-year-old inside-out scorer can emerge as an All-Star type in his first season and not regress to former draft-bust status. Randle’s athleticism has long intrigued the Knicks front office. His 45-point, 11-rebound, six-assist, three-block game against Portland last season served notice to the league he may have arrived.
Most Notable Absence: Emmanuel Mudiay
He started 42 games last season and finished as the Knicks’ leading scorer (14.8 ppg) despite defensive concerns. After reigniting his career and earning Fizdale’s trust, management ignored him in free agency and he signed for the minimum in Utah to be Mike Conley’s backup. Mudiay said he was happy to join a Jazz organization known for player development. Zing.
Biggest Comeback: Bullock
He is coming off spinal-fusion surgery and the Knicks have given no timetable for his return. The club redid his original two-year, $21M verbal agreement after he failed his physical. Bullock signed a one-year, $4M contract — the majority of the cap-room exception. The 6-foot-7 swingman was also beset last season by plantar fasciitis. He averaged 11.7 points with Detroit and the Lakers but shot just 41.7 percent.
Don’t Be Surprised If (Good): Mitchell Robinson All-Star invite
The center could be invited to the Rising Stars Challenge, as he continues to grow his game to more than a shotblocking specialist/alley-oop dunkmaster.
Don’t Be Surprised If (Bad): Barrett isn’t best rookie
Second-round small forward Ignas Brazdeikas out of Michigan could put up more efficient offensive numbers than Barrett, who struggles to find footing as a rookie.
Could Surprise and Make Team: Kenny Wooten
The 15 roster spots appear set, but the Knicks still have an opening for two-way G-League contract signee to go along with Kadeem Allen. Wooten, a pogo-stick power-forward defensive stud, will be at camp and could have his contract reworked for that role. Two-way players are allowed 45 days on NBA roster plus the two weeks after the G-League season ends.