NLL Insider - Team by Team: New York Knicksby vt, updated on Saturday, October 24 2015, 07:28 pm EST 2014-15 Finish: 48-34
Season Highlight Keeping the streak alive! Let’s face it, the Knicks
did not have an amazing season. They were a fringe team that really took a nose
dive during the season. However, GM Dunadan still managed to squeak into the playoffs
in a competitive Eastern Conference, putting a good margin between his team and
the Toronto Raptors at the end of the season. So many things just simply went
wrong, but the Knicks managed to make the playoffs, again. In his tenure as
Knicks GM, Dunadan has only missed the postseason once. This is why he is
considered one of the best in the league! Season Lowlight Always the bridesmaid. GM Dunadan has made the big dance once, but has never won a ring. Not many GMs have been around as long as Tim and never won the championship. Greenmig has two rings. VT has one. Will Tim ever get his chance? After this forgettable season, it doesn’t look like it will happen soon without some big changes.
Best Trade
Tim didn’t make a lot of good moves this past season. Many of them were motivated by the intense need to shed salary, especially as many of his players are due a big payday this coming season. This one is the best because he moves the more or less untradeable Jose Calderon and his albatross of a deal for a serviceable veteran at a fraction of the cost.
Worst Trade
Sure, the Knicks have a ton of big men and needed to
cut salary. But when Tony Wroten spends the entire season on the IR and STILL
isn’t right come the new season, you didn’t do well in this deal. Especially
since the Manimal is coming into his own as one of the better young power
forwards in the league. Even more especially when Paul Millsap is coming off
somewhat of a disappointing season. Other Notable Trades
The New York
Knicks send James Johnson to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic send Jae
Crowder and Pero Antic to the New York Knicks. If Jae Crowder lives up to his hype, this could be a steal for the Knicks. But after last season, it looks like he won’t be much more than an overpaid reserve should the Knicks decide to keep up.
The New York
Knicks send Evan Turner to the Washington Wizards. The Washington
Wizards send Jared Dudley to the New York Knicks.
This one is a bit of a head scratcher too. Can’t Turner play small forward? Dudley is the team’s new starting SF though and Turner, who most think is a better player, will have a chance to shine in DC.
Best Free Agent Signing Convincing Greg Monroe to sign for the qualifying offers is a pretty lucky break for the Knicks. We’ll give Tim the gold star for this one.
Worst Free Agent Signing
Luol Deng- The Knicks spent a lot of time and effort and money bringing Deng to the Big Apple (see below).
The Star
James Harden- Can you believe the Knicks got this guy for Rudy Gay and Ronnie Price? He is THE premier shooting guard in the league. Who’s better? No one. He scored 28.6 ppg and shot 47%, coming in 4th in the league in field goals made. He makes the Knicks deadly, even when the Knicks don’t play well.
Surprise
Tony Wroten- Merencio packaged Wroten off to Dunadan with a note that read: “Surprise, Tim. Tony here is only going to play 26 games for you this season.â€
The Goat
Luol Deng- Deng came to the Knicks following an exodus out of Orlando. His bad play this season sent him right back there. It’s like that guy screaming, “Not Detroit! Anywhere but Detroit!†in the Kentucky Fried Movie. For the pay, Deng’s 9.2 points per game seem pretty anemic. He also missed 12 games due to injury. It wasn’t an awful season, but someone had to take the fall. The Deng period on NYC didn’t last very long.
Draft Report Card
Guess what? The Knicks selected another PF on draft day. But Bobby Portis looks like he is going to be a steal, eventually freeing up the team to potentially move the expensive Millsap. Nice pick, Tim.
Looking to the Future
The Knicks start next season looking a lot like last season. Is that good thing? They will likely need to cut some salary or face the luxury tax. They also need to convince Monroe to stick around again, but that shouldn’t be a problem. But with Dudley slotted in where Deng used to be, the Knicks haven’t really progressed much since last season. Kyrie Irving MUST stay healthy for this team to have a chance. The bench is also looking a little weak. Could this be the year the Knicks slide out of contention? We doubt it.
Upcoming Free Agents Greg Monroe- Big Greg will be making a lot of money this season. Big Tim will be spending a lot of GM points to make sure he’s not making that money in another season. Paul Millsap- A NYC favorite, Millsap won’t be going anywhere either. Kyrie Irving- See above. Charlie Villanueva- The Knicks gave up Omri Casspi for this guy. We bet he stays in the Big Apple. Jae Crowder- Ditto. Not going anywhere. Shayne Wittington- He’s cheap. Tim will keep him. Tayshaun Prince- Good night, sweet Prince. You won’t be back in New York this season. |
Archive· Team by Team: Sacramento Kings · Team by Team: San Antonio Spurs · Team by Team: New York Knicks · Team by Team: Memphis Grizzlies · Team by Team: Toronto Raptors · Team by Team: Denver Nuggets |
© 2001-2019 nbaliveleague.com | All Rights Reserved | About Us | FAQ | Sign Up | Contact Us | Site Statistics