Empire Writes Back
Fansided

The New York Knicks are in better shape than the Lakers

By Andrew Elderbaum

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: RJ Barrett poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the third overall pick by the New York Knicks during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: RJ Barrett poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the third overall pick by the New York Knicks during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Julius Randle, New Orleans Pelicans. New York Knicks. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

On the comeback trail

As for the New York Knicks, it’s a different story. Like everyone else, I was underwhelmed by their offseason. I’m still trying to figure out how they plan to play five power forwards and still find minutes for their young players.

If Robinson continues to develop, he has all-star potential and the same could be said for Barrett. I’m not sure what kind of player Kevin Knox will end up being. However, there are worse outcomes than a heat check third scorer on the wing who can play defense. Whether or not he gets there is an open question, but there is no one in the purple and gold with that potential.

The really funny thing is that the New York Knicks signed Julius Randle who is the type of player L.A.  divested themselves of, in their quest to add a star to pair with James. Randle is a young talented player who might be something down the line. He already has established he can score and rebound. Marcus Morris probably would have made more sense with the Lakers than with the Knicks but Pelinka went with the Caldwell-Pope, Rondo, Dudley trifecta instead.

So would you rather be the Lakers with an aging all-time great, an oft-injured but undeniably great A.D. who has not yet signed an extension, the meh Kyle Kuzma, no draft picks and a team of has-beens? Or would you prefer to have all your picks as well as Dallas’ lottery tickets plus Robinson, Barrett, and Knox? Not to mention, the athletic, though flawed Smith Jr., a building block in Randle, and more cap space in the ensuing years?

Call me crazy but if the Knicks hit on two of those players and add one more solid rotation player via the draft or free agency, I think they become a real destination for the superstar they lack. This year would require a Lebron or Davis injury for the Knicks to have a better record, which is very much a possibility. But by next season, NYK could simply be the better team.

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