The NY Knicks are coming into training camp with some confidence and both Carmelo Anthony and Derek Fisher praised the additions that Phil Jackson made this summer. The team has two talented rookies in Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant along with free agents like Robin Lopez, Derrick Williams and Arron Afflalo, while Langston Galloway is looking to start along with Jose Calderon.
The Knicks are not going to be title contenders, but the team should be much improved from where they were last season. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Carmelo Anthony said that the team is looking to compete for a championship at media day and while that may just be some self-confidence, it shows that Anthony is looking to push his team in the right direction. Anthony had knee surgery last year and he is back healthy and he is looking to get his team into the playoffs after missing the past two years.
The NY Knicks are coming into training camp with a number of questions on the roster and players like Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Wesley Saunders and Darion Atkins are looking to make the team. Antetokounmpo could be done if he doesn't make it, while the other players could end up in the D-League. The Knicks added Kevin Seraphin and Sasha Vujacic as bench options and the team also thinks that players like Kyle O'Quinn and Derrick Williams can make an impact.
The Knicks have Jose Calderon, Grant and Langston Galloway as the main point guard options and those players all will get looks in camp. The team was impressed with Galloway last season and Grant comes in after having some really good experience in a pro-style offense in college. Calderon said that he is fully healthy after dealing with injuries last season and he could be an impact player this year. Anthony is looking to stay healthy for a full season and he now has more talent around him than last year.
Cleanthony Early has shown some potential and the team also thinks that rookies Jerian Grant and Kristaps Porzingis can make impacts in year one. Both players need work and development, but the Knicks are excited about what they can do. Jose Calderon could be a trade target this season, but that likely won't happen until closer to the trade deadline and he could end up starting over Galloway and Grant depending on how camp goes.
The Knicks wanted to keep Maurice Ndour heading into camp, but he signed with the Mavs. Ndour would have only been a rotational player for the Knicks, but he looked good in the summer league on defense and averaged 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in his run with NY. The Knicks could not promise a roster spot or even playing time to Ndour and that led him to sign a deal with the Mavericks. The Knicks are likely done adding free agents, but the team was mentioned in connection with Carlos Boozer earlier in the offseason and he could be an option down the line.
Check here for more on the NY Knicks roster, rookies Grant and Porzingis and more on the Knicks offseason moves.