2011-2012 Finish: 36-30

Season Highlight
It was a mediocre year for the Knicks. There were no major ups or downs - they mostly just floundered along in the middle of the pack. But perhaps the highlight was the point where they realised that Hedo Turkoglu could actually play center and make a good go of it! The team stumbled through the first few rounds of hte season with Biedrins and Mozgov offering little of what you want from a C. Then team management had an epiphany and moved Hedo over to starting C and they suddenly looked a whole lot better. Scraping into the playoffs, 8th seed in the east was probably also somewhat of a highlight. The welcoming of a little bundle of joy at the GM's household was also well up there in the highlights!


Season Lowlight
Again, not a terrible season, so no major downer. But I guess getting bundled out in the first round of playoffs, via a 0-4 clean sweep from Cleveland wasn't a whole lot of fun. But the Cavs were on a mission, so it's nothing to get too upset over.


Best Trade
The Knicks acquired young future all-star guard Kyrie Irving (and center Marcus Camby, who might have been handy had he stayed around, given the failures of Biedrins) for current star guard Deron Williams. Why is giving up a current all-star quality player a good thing? Well Deron was sitting in the departure lounge at the time - he appeared to be all but walking out the door come season end and the Knicks weren't gonna wait around and get nothing in return. So what do you do when your superstar wants to walk, you trade him for a future superstar - Kyrie Irving. Turns out it was a great trade for both the Knicks and Orlando - the Magic had a great season and Deron decided to stay. Win-win!


Worst Trade
The LA Lakers receive 10 GM points. The New York Knicks trade -10 GM points.
But wait ...
The LA Lakers trade -10 GM points.The New York Knicks receive 10 GM points.
... hmmmm, okaaaay.


Other Notable Trades
The Knicks sent Marcus Camby packing before he could step foot on the plane to New York along with the rights to Davis Bertans. In return they got Hedo - and as already mentioned Hedo hit it off when he was moved to starting C.


Best FA Signing
Nate Robinson came back for another tour of duty. Didn't do a whole lot, but this was the best of the 2 FA signings they made. How many times can Nate leave New York?


Worst FA Signing
Carldell Johnson. Who? Yeah the Knicks staff asked the same question and he was out the door before playing a game.


Star
Paul Millsap - F - Its a tough call - the Knicks didn't really have a stand out, but there were 4 players (maybe even 5) who made solid contributions. Millsap gets the nod for his hard work on the boards - especially during the period where he was paired up front with centers who seemed allergic to rebounding. He pulled down 8.6 rpg to go with his 17.8 ppg. He edges out, Luol Deng, who didn't know if he was on the trade block or not this season but still put up good numbers, Kyrie Irving, Hedo and James Harden who was a gun 6th man and may have been their main man had he started.


Surprise
Hedo Turkoglu - C (apparently) - Who know the big turk could still get it done up front? He isn't getting any younger and he's mostly a long range bomber these days, but he found something to offer when shifted to starting C.


Goat
Andris Biedrins - C - He's 7 foot tall - 240 pounds - makes $9m a season - but in the 37 games he played, 28 starting, he was afraid of the glass. Biedrins looked like a real find a few years back and the Knicks locked him up quick smart. But he's turned into a cap eating flop.


Draft Report Card
Wit the 18th pick the Knicks took long string bean F/C, John Henson. (No I said John, not Kermit and Fozzy's daddy Jim). Henson is 6-11 and 217lbs - he's long and lanky but is a real shot blocking rebounder. Many comparisons have been made to Marcus Camby - and if that comparison eventuates, then this is just what the Knicks need. Their main front court player is the undersized Millsap, who is a great worker, but the team needs some height up front. Henson needs to put on some weight, but he could well walk straight into the Knicks starting front court next season.


Looking to the Future
The Knicks are in a solid position. They have nearly all of their roster, all that they want to keep anyway, locked up. They have many young pieces who's best years are ahead of them - Kyrie Irving will be a star playmaker, James Harden is turning into a gun wing, Evan Turner will get the opportunity to shine, as will Kenneth Faried a hard working forward. Kosta Koufos may also ge more opportunities and then there is Henson. Joel Freeland is also set to finally make his way over from Europe and there have been Nando De Colo sightings.

The biggest problem the Knicks have is finding roster spots for them all. They will still have the services of Hedo, Deng and Millsap who can all contribute - and then there is Biedrins. To add to the grief, the Knicks are sitting just $348K under the luxury cap. How do the Knicks make roster space and cap room? Well they could dump Biedrins - they still have their amnesty available to them - $9m off the cap would help considerably. Surely they couldn't convince someone to take him off their hands??? They currently have 12 bodies under contract + Koufos who will return. They have 3 rookies to sign on - dumping Biedrins will make room on the roster and the cap.


Upcoming Free Agents
Koufos is their only free agent they really want to keep - he is restricted and should return anyway - there will be playing time for him on this roster. Nate Robinson will be on his merry way again. And Bill Walker is off in the land of the missing.