The 2020-21 NBA training camp is upon us. Here is a look at the Knicks roster to date.
RJ Barrett
SG, Age: 20, 6’7″, 200 pounds
Barrett’s efficiency numbers were brutal in his rookie season after being the No. 3 pick. The former Duke slasher has the ferocity and work ethic to make major strides, but he must improve his 3-point (32 percent) and free-throw shooting (61.4 percent).
Ignas Brazdeikis
SF, Age: 21, 6’7″, 215 pounds
The southpaw scoring forward, a second-round pick in 2019, is no longer a lock to make the roster as the Knicks have 17 legitimate candidates for 15 slots. What a waste it would be after Knicks GM Scott Perry paid Sacramento $1 million to move up in the second round to nab the Michigan man and played him just nine games as a rookie.
Reggie Bullock
SF-SG, Age: 29, 6’6″, 205 pounds
The Knicks opted into the rugged defender’s $4.2 million final year. Bullock is a 3-point threat (career 38 percent 3-point shooter). With no firm starter at small forward, Bullock is in contention because he’s Tom Thibodeau’s kind of player.
Alec Burks
SF, Age: 29, 6’6″, 214 pounds
Signed to a one-year, $6 million deal to be a bench scorer. The former Jazz lottery pick averaged 15 points and shot 38 percent from 3-point range in 66 games for Golden State and the Sixers last season.
Jacob Evans
SG, Age: 23, 6’4″, 210 pounds
A Minnesota throw-in trade piece when the Knicks obtained a second-round pick for Ed Davis’ contract, he is not expected to make the team.
Jared Harper
PG, Age: 23, 5’11”, 175 pounds
The former Auburn star went undrafted in 2019 and couldn’t find his footing in Phoenix, playing just three NBA games but starring in the G-League. Harper has extreme speed, but getting much action will be hard to come by on his two-way contract.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
SF-PF, Age: 27, 6’6″, 232 pounds
His stock plummeting, the former No. 2 pick signed a non-guaranteed contract. If he proves a stout defender in training camp, he’s a lock. He also has the all-important Kentucky/CAA connections going for him.
Kevin Knox
SF-PF, Age: 21, 6’7″, 215 pounds
This is a giant season for Knox, whose confidence regressed in his sophomore campaign. Former coaches David Fizdale and Mike Miller didn’t trust him to start because of his defensive lapses and low motor. After averaging 6.4 points, the 2018 lottery pick is the most important project for new assistant Kenny Payne, who coached him at Kentucky. Knox still has an abundance of scoring skill as a slasher and 3-point shooter.
Frank Ntilikina
PG, Age: 22, 6’5″, 200 pounds
The 2017 lottery pick and longest-tenured Knick is establishing himself as a defensive specialist, best at off-guard. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer so don’t be surprised if the Knicks wheel him at the trade deadline for future assets unless he improves his 3-point shot and demonstrates he can be a primary ball-handler.
Nerlens Noel
C, Age: 26, 6’10”, 220 pounds
The former Sixers lottery pick has played for OKC the past two seasons, coming on strong last season as a two-way presence. His Kentucky coach John Calipari says the Knicks free-agent signee is due for “a breakout’’ season. Don’t be surprised if Noel wins starting job as the Knicks’ best free-agent signing.
Elfrid Payton
PG, Age: 26, 6’4″, 185 pounds
Brought back on a reduced salary ($4.8 million vs. $8 million), he certainly was capable last season, but Knicks brass got turned down by other top point-guard options, including Fred VanVleet, D.J. Augustin and Rajon Rondo.
Theo Pinson
SG, Age: 25, 6’5″, 212 pounds
The former UNC star was known as a popular locker-room guy in two seasons with the Nets. But he’s a shooting guard who can’t shoot. Knicks president Leon Rose is his former agent and loves his character, but he probably won’t see the floor on a two-way deal.
Myles Powell
SG, Age: 23, 6’2″, 195 pounds
The Seton Hall superstar went undrafted. His lack of height for a shooting guard is the concern, but he’s a dynamic scorer (17.5 career average). He likely will be reduced to competing in a newly structured G-League format. The CAA client has excelled at the Garden, including notching 25 of his 28 points in the second half when Seton Hall stunned Kentucky in 2018.
Immanuel Quickley
PG-SG, Age: 21, 6’2″, 188 pounds
Taken at No. 25, few NBA scouts regarded the Kentucky combo guard as a first-rounder after he measured 6-2 at the combine and is not known as a playmaker. If he makes the rotation, Quickley boosts the Knicks’ 3-point shooting.
Julius Randle
PF, Age: 26, 6’8″, 250 pounds
Knicks believe their pricey 2019 free-agent signee will be more comfortable in his second season. He’s a double-double guy, but needs to cut down on turnovers and excessive dribbling and raise his leadership level.
Austin Rivers
PG-SG, Age: 28, 6’3″, 200 pounds
Doc Rivers’ son never lived up to his lottery selection but is serviceable at both guard spots. Scouts believe he is savvy enough to finish games at the point for the Knicks — even if he doesn’t start.
Mitchell Robinson
C, Age: 22, 7’0″, 240 pounds
The shot-blocking center led the NBA in field-goal percentage (74.2) to break Wilt Chamberlain’s record. But the 2018 second-round pick still isn’t comfortable shooting a jump shot. So all eyes will be on if he can score points beyond his alley-oop/put-back theatrics.
Dennis Smith Jr.
PG, Age: 23, 6’0″, 195 pounds
The key player asset in the Kristaps Porzingis deal will be in contention for the starting point-guard role. However, sources contend the Knicks want to trade the former lottery pick and the club is looking to do anything to pump up his trade value.
Omari Spellman
PF, Age: 23, 6’8″, 245 pounds
The upstate Middletown product via Villanova has potential to be a competent stretch 4 (36.6 percent from 3) after being drafted 30th by Atlanta in 2018. Spellman’s weight issues held him back in his sophomore season with Golden State.
Obi Toppin
PF, Age: 22, 6’9″, 220 pounds
The Knicks got a good value pick with the Dayton dunk machine dropping to No. 8. But his defense will be an issue with Tom Thibodeau. The Naismith College Basketball Player of the Year is better equipped than most rookies to enter the season without a summer league as he’s 22 with a solid frame. The Brooklyn product can score in many ways, including from 3.