New York Knicks: How Good Can They Be In 2016-17?

The New York Knicks have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, but just how good can they be in 2016-17?

The New York Knicks have been very active this offseason, trading for former MVP Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday on draft night, acquiring Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings in free agency and re-signing Lance Thomas after a breakout season.

In the process, they have also persuaded Spanish center Willy Hernangomez to join the Knicks after a season in the Euroleague after being drafted in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft.

The Knicks have let a lot of players go, too. Arron Afflalo left to join the Kings, Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant and Robin Lopez were traded to the Bulls, Tony Wroten was waived and Langston Galloway had his qualifying offer rescinded (which means he could be on his way out, too).

So, here is a quick look at what the depth chart is looking like for the Knicks right now:

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PG: Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings
SG: Courtney Lee, Ron Baker
SF: Carmelo Anthony, Lance Thomas, Justin Holiday
PF: Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle O’Quinn
C: Joakim Noah, Willy Hernangomez

Although the Knicks have a very solid starting five, one that could be one of the best in the league if it stays healthy and reaches its full potential, the bench is still lacking depth.

Lance Thomas and Brandon Jennings are great bench guys and Kyle O’Quinn and Justin Holiday are serviceable but both Baker and Hernangomez haven’t played a single minute in the NBA and went undrafted and in the second round, respectively.

The Knicks will ride or die with their starting unit.

Unlike the moves that Orlando made (you can see my analysis on that here), I think that these moves were necessary and appropriate for the Knicks current situation. If the Knicks aren’t going to trade Anthony, they need to maximise his abilities while they are still at an elite level.

The one thing that the Knicks can take solace in even if this team turns out to be a gigantic flop is that the moves do not hurt Porzingis’ chance at development

I fully expect the Knicks to make the playoffs this year, barring a major injury to one of Rose, Noah or Anthony. But that’s just the problem – with such injury concerns with those players and a lack of depth behind these players, one injury could cause the Knicks to plummet down the standings.

The one thing that the Knicks can take solace in even if this team turns out to be a gigantic flop is that the moves do not hurt Porzingis’ chance at development. Porzingis will still have a starting role and will get to learn from a talented center in Joakim Noah who can mentor him on his way to hopefully becoming an All-NBA player.

I’m not sure what the Knicks are trying to achieve here, however. Sure, they’ll make the playoffs but then what? Do they re-sign Rose? Do they trade ‘Melo?

This season may not look like a defining one for the Knicks franchise but it most assuredly is. If the Knicks perform poorly, they might finally see the warning signs and start a proper rebuild centered around Porzingis and the young assets they’d acquire from a ‘Melo trade.

If the Knicks perform well and, for example, make it to the second round of the playoffs, the team is likely to stick together and try to take another step the season after.

must read: NBA: Free Agency's Dumb and Smarter

The New York Knicks will be one of the most interesting teams to follow this season because whatever happens, good or bad, everyone knows it will be entertaining.

It always is in New York.

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