Thibodeau is inheriting a young list with several players still in the early stages of their development.
Mitchell Robinson has shown he can make a difference, but has yet to develop his offensive game. Ntilikina still has many improvements to make before becoming a more consistent player, while RJ Barrett had a beginner season up and down, but is still an important piece of the Knicks’ future.
Development will be crucial for those players, and for others – not to mention the three draft choices that the Knicks will bring next season.
Those young players need to make marked and sustained improvements for the Knicks to become a successful team in the future.
It will be up to Thibodeau to establish a new culture that promotes player development and helps these pieces grow as NBA players.