Realistic expectations for the New York Knicks in 2019-20
To build for the future, the Knicks MUST get another top-five pick in next year’s draft.
Getting another top-five pick isn’t exactly what most Knicks fans want, but unfortunately, it is what they need. What’s the point in having a fluke season and making the playoffs if you know for an absolute fact you won’t be able to contend for a spot in the Finals?
Making the playoffs in 2019-20 isn’t a realistic expectation for the Knicks, so if you’re not going to make the playoffs and you know that before the season even starts, you might as well try and secure a top pick.
The Knicks have built a very good core of young players (or so we think), but they are still a player or two away from being good enough to make the playoffs. There is a chance that the player the Knicks need, could come from next year’s draft lottery.
Next year’s draft might not have a star-studded class like this year did, but getting a top-five pick is much better than getting a pick in say the 15-20 range.
Going into this season, it appears as if the Knicks have a decent starting five, but it is not yet enough to squeak into the NBA Finals. Nowadays, to make the Finals, you HAVE to have a superstar on your team.
Let’s look at the past few seasons and look at some of the players who took the court for both teams:
2019: Steph Curry/Kevin Durant/Klay Thompson/DeMarcus Cousins/Draymond Green vs. Kawhi Leonard
2018: Steph Curry/Kevin Durant/Klay Thompson/Draymond Green vs. LeBron James
2017: Steph Curry/Kevin Durant/Klay Thompson/Draymond Green vs. LeBron James/Kyrie Irving
You get the point. The best player on the Knicks could very well be their youngest and least experienced player, Barrett. At Duke during the 2018-19 season, Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, AND HE WAS PLAYING WITH ZION WILLIAMSON.
Not only that, but Barrett has notched three straight double-doubles in the Summer League while nearly grabbing triple-doubles in two of them.
https://twitter.com/BlueDevils/status/1150251827218341888
This goes to show you how good Barrett could be, but still, if a rookie is your best player, chances are you’re not going to be very good. With that in mind, the Knicks MUST get into the top-five in next year’s draft so they can prepare for the future.