My player to watch is our own big mermaid Ariel Hukporti. I think he will have an opportunity to have a similar ascension as IQ did. He should get minutes and can force Thibs hand to add him to the rotation leap frogging over Sims who at this point is what he is. I could see him gettin 10-12 minutes by the regular season as a legit rim protecting big
My other player to watch is Tyler Kolek. While I don't think Thibs will play him over Deuce or veteran Cam Payne I do expect him to be ready if one of those guys gets injured and make a case to stay in the rotation.
Lastly, Julius Randle is a player to watch. I expect him to be limited in the preseason and have a slow start to the season. While I have no doubt Randle will want to play at 100%, Thibs will sit him until he is 100% ready to go.
The rotations are going to be a little funky through the beginning of preseason but by mid Oct, hopefully Randle is 100% ready to go giving Thibs 1 or 2 preseason games to work out the final rotations before the games count.
Expectations are high this season. Me personally, I'm just happy to have Knicks basketball back! I'm hoping for a deep playoff run again this year. It makes the off season so much shorter 
Lastly, I think we are going to have to watch for the Knicks to make a trade for a center. With the new rules and the Knicks over the first, and close to the second apron matching salaries will be extremely complicated which will limit our options there. We might just have to ride the season out with what we got.
Preseason ScheduleSun, Oct 6 @ Charlotte 5:00 PM
Wed, Oct 9 vs Washington 7:30 PM
Sun, Oct 13 vs Minnesota 6:00 PM
Tue, Oct 15 vs Charlotte 7:30 PM
Fri, Oct 18 @ Washington 7:00 PM
Non Guaranteed ContractsMarcus Morris Sr - Exhibit 9
Landry Shamet - Exhibit 9
Chuma Okeke - Exhibit 10
Jericho Sims - Partially Guaranteed
There can be only 2!
Sims is going to have to prove he has NBA talent. Personally I keep Shamet and Morris who are proven veteran players. Sims just doesn't do anything well enough to keep him on the roster considering the other options
Rookie wrote:Non Guaranteed ContractsMarcus Morris Sr - Exhibit 9
Landry Shamet - Exhibit 9
Chuma Okeke - Exhibit 10
Jericho Sims - Partially Guaranteed
There can be only 2!
Sims is going to have to prove he has NBA talent. Personally I keep Shamet and Morris who are proven veteran players. Sims just doesn't do anything well enough to keep him on the roster considering the other options
Sims was already guaranteed.
Sims deal is fully guaranteed as per August 17th.
Morris at 6-10 can play some center. Does he though?
Nalod wrote:Sims deal is fully guaranteed as per August 17th.
Morris at 6-10 can play some center. Does he though?
Ah crap, good catch. If Morris can still play though, there's no way I keep Sims over Morris. The team needs at least one crusty veteran. Randle is the oldest player on the team. Whamet also has a necessary NBA skill and is in his prime. Regardless of the contract situation I'm cutting my losses on Sims. I'd rather play someone...anyone...else than him. He sucks. I don't know why we always expect our scrubs to get good over an offseason
Given the investment thus far for sims I give him a chance. He is healthy. He has put in the work. Can he execute it?
There is a reason he has been here and Thibs has yet to give up on him?
Mook? Maybe he Sticks, Maybe his Hammy gives out or maybe he gets a better offer elsewhere.
I expect a trade and CamPayne here, with Kolek makes Deuce expendible. Deuce took a $15k per month lease on an nice apartment. Hope he has an out if traded.
Nalod wrote:Given the investment thus far for sims I give him a chance. He is healthy. He has put in the work. Can he execute it?
There is a reason he has been here and Thibs has yet to give up on him?
Mook? Maybe he Sticks, Maybe his Hammy gives out or maybe he gets a better offer elsewhere.
I expect a trade and CamPayne here, with Kolek makes Deuce expendible. Deuce took a $15k per month lease on an nice apartment. Hope he has an out if traded.
I think Landry Shamet looses out on the last spot to Mook. You can never have too much three points shooting, but this team already has enough combo guards. This team is going center by committee.
agree on Big Mermaid
also think Sims will surprise, and Julius will have a career year being surrounded with so much talent
Knicks know what they are doing.
Sims does well its not a surprise. Its been expected. He has disappointed.
Huk? I would be great if he can crack the rotation and contribute.
JUles was having a career year last year. He has to stay incident free. His injuries are contact not chronic.
They holding him back some? Ok. He is rusty and it takes time to get into Jules shape! Not like the man don't put in the work.
Like Jalen, his numbers should be down some this year. Why? More guys succeeding means better win totals. We can't expect JB to carry the load again nor do we want it.
EwingsGlass wrote:VDesai wrote:Pure Kicks Love
Lol
Haha I didn’t notice at first
So even with the addition of KAT, it sure would be great if Hukporti or Sims could emerge as a legit center worth of 20-25mpg - basically I'm looking for rookie Mitchell Robinson production - some defensive mayhem, cutbacks, finishing lobs.
Can we sign both Mook and Shamet now or nah?
the role players can make life easier for all. KAT can play 2 positions so there is room for Mitch. There will be injuries, so there is great flexibility as well.
This is not about winning the trade, its about winning games.
martin wrote:Nalod wrote:the role players can make life easier for all. KAT can play 2 positions so there is room for Mitch. There will be injuries, so there is great flexibility as well. This is not about winning the trade, its about winning games championships. having bragging rights in the UK and/or being better than the nets!
I got you 
Then there is the shallow fulfillment of self gratification.....>LOL
With this trade Paco Dadiet and Kolek might be getting time this season
Alpha1971 wrote:With this trade Paco Dadiet and Kolek might be getting time this season
DDV was made available given Deuce improvement and contract. Shamet gives us some looks similar. Funny that Fornier might be a better fit with this roster than previously. He had issues with Randle on the court. once DDV came Evan was not getting off the bench.
I think Kolek after summer league and in practice demonstrated he could factor into the rotation in time. Dadiet? He can earn his time if performs. Toppin is still here also. Our roster has competitions. Its a good thing.
