Coming off their first playoff appearance since the 2012-13 NBA season, the New York Knicks not only enter the 2021-22 campaign with high expectations, but they have a much-improved roster as well. Veterans Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, and Taj Gibson all returned for this team in the offseason, signing new contracts, and the Knicks also added Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier.
Walker has spent the last two seasons in Boston, averaging 19.9 points, 4.8 assists, and shooting 37.2% from three-point range, making him the key offensive talent they were missing last year. There are some concerns about Kemba Walker’s durability due to knee issues over the years, but he is a 4x All-Star that can definitely elevate the play of this team when he is on the court.
As for Evan Fournier, he also comes to New York via Boston, but he was just traded to the Celtics at the trade deadline last year in the final year of his contract.
Over the last two seasons in total, Fournier has averaged 18.0 points, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and has shot 40.4% from the perimeter, making him a key sharpshooter for a lackluster offensive squad in the Knicks.
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With R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle still being key members of this franchise, the Knicks definitely have a chance to once again prove that they are a Top-4 team in the Eastern Conference, but they may not be done adding talent and depth to their roster. New York could absolutely look to add more talent to their team near midseason, which is why they could leverage some of their young talents.
Kevin Knox is definitely a player that they will look to trade at some point during the regular season, but New York could also look to leverage last year’s first-round pick, Obi Toppin.
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With Julius Randle emerging as an All-Star last year and Tom Thibodeau playing veterans over young talents, Toppin may not get many opportunities to play for the Knicks this season.
After having a great showing in Summer League this offseason and playing well in the preseason, the New York Knicks should absolutely look to include Toppin in some of their rotations this season, but Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley seems to think that New York should trade their young forward to Houston for another shooting threat on the perimeter.
