The New York Knicks are coming into the season with expectations of improvement after adding players like Derrick Williams, Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez in free agency for star Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks roster is much improved after adding rookies Jerian Grant and Kristaps Porzingis, while players like Langston Galloway, Cleanthony Early, Kevin Seraphin and Sasha Vujacic give the team some depth.
The Knicks started the preseason 4-0 and while those are just exhibition games, it's a positive step for a team that is going through a rebuild. The team lost to the Hornets for the first defeat of the preseason and with the start of the regular season a couple weeks away, the lineup is starting to take shape. Afflalo was dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in the preseason and he was able to play against the Celtics on Friday and he had eight points, five rebounds and one assist.
Afflalo should play a lot for the Knicks and heading into the start of the season the team hopes his hamstring can hold up. Lopez is going to give the team a better presence up front on the defensive side of the ball and Williams has a lot of upside for the team. Williams has always had the talent, but he hasn't always been able to put things together on the court and the Knicks are going to give him the chance to do that. Kristaps Porzingis is an exciting prospect, but he is not ready to start and that will give Williams more time on the floor.
The Knicks were one of the most active teams in the league this offseason in making moves on the roster and even though the team did not get a major free agent like LaMarcus Aldridge or Greg Monroe, the team brought in some solid names. Afflalo, Lopez and Williams are all competent professional players and that was something the Knicks were lacking in at times last season. Kyle O'Quinn will add some depth, while Vujacic gives the team some bench scoring. Thanasis Antetokounmpo could make the roster, while Darion Atkins and Wesley Saunders are also competing for spots.
The Knicks are happy with Grant, Galloway and Jose Calderon at point guard to open the season and Calderon likely will start as long as he is healthy. Grant has experience playing at Notre Dame and is a solid backup option, while Galloway had a strong rookie season and gives the team some young depth at the position. The Knicks had a chance to bring Linsanity back to NY, as ESPN reported after the loss against the Hornets that Jeremy Lin had interest in coming back, but the Knicks were not looking to bring him back.