The new president Leon Rose wants to break the drought of the seven-year playoffs next season. Why shouldn’t this be the goal in the anemic Eastern Conference?
Let’s start with the hiring of Tom Thibodeau, who broke the 13 year old playoff drought of Minnesota and is a proven winner.
While this may be the slowest and shortest free agency in history in late October, Rose may still be making updates while maintaining flexibility for 2021.
This is an alignment that I can foresee, especially if Father Lavar Ball makes his way as we have reported here several times.
An initial formation of LaMelo Ball (guard point); RJ Barrett (shooting guard); Carmelo Anthony (little striker); Christian Wood (forward) and Mitchell Robinson (center) are not run down, especially if Ball is ready to become the quarterback.
Bench Five would feature Frank Ntilikina (PG backup), Reggie Bullock (SG backup), Kevin Knox (SF backup), Julius Randle (PF backup) and Taj Gibson (backup C).
The Knicks are one of only four teams with hat space and can add the emerging Wood, 24, with a huge one-year contract, just as Bobby Portis is insured.
The sense is that Anthony wants to end his career in New York and fell on the Knicks radar when Rose accepted the presidency. There is no bigger fan than Anthony on Rose’s planet.
Melo will be in audition for Portland during the Orlando restart. If he can get Knox under his wing – a big if – it could really work.
As for Randle moving to the bench, several scouts are convinced that his future is as sixth place top scorer in a playoff team. Randle never made the playoffs.