The New York Knicks are coming into the 2015-16 season with expectations for improvement, as the team has made a number of new additions under Phil Jackson. Carmelo Anthony is coming back from knee surgery and he has some new faces, including Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant, Derrick Williams and Kyle O'Quinn among others.
The Knicks had a very tough season last year and finished near the bottom of the standings, earning the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft. Anthony had knee surgery and missed a big chunk of the year and now Jackson is coming into things looking for some major improvement. The team is holding media interviews and opening up camp and here is a look at some things that should play into how the Knicks perform this season.
Carmelo and his health
Anthony had knee surgery last year following the All-Star break and while there was some question about whether he would be ready for camp, it appears that Melo is healthy. According to Ian Begley at ESPN New York, Anthony has no limitations on workouts heading into the season. The Knicks best chance at being relevant this season could hinge on Anthony being healthy and that is the top concern for Phil Jackson. Last season Anthony averaged 24 points per game in 40 games played.
Carmelo has some new friends
The Knicks did not his a "home run" in free agency with Goran Dragic, LaMarcus Aldridge or Greg Monroe, but Jackson hit some solid singles and may have even added a run scoring double (sorry for the baseball analogy). Robin Lopez is not a franchise altering player, but he is a strong defender and a solid player to put alongside Anthony.
Lopez will help improve the defense, while players like Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams are solid pros with high upsides for the Knicks. Compared to the roster last season those players are major upgrades and the team also has two talented rookies in Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant.
What will the final roster look like?
The Knicks have been active in bringing in players for camp on top of the players who are expected to make the roster and names like Travis Trice, DaJuan Summers, Wesley Saunders and Darion Atkins give the team some solid options to look at in camp. The team has Langston Galloway and Grant competing alongside Jose Calderon at point guard, while Sasha Vujacic and Kevin Seraphin have their spots on the roster as well.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo is also going to be in camp after being signed finally and this could be his last chance to make the roster for the Knicks, as he may want to try another opportunity if he can't crack it here after playing in the D-League for the team. Saunders and Atkins along with Trice could end up in the D-League, but the Knicks also may consider keeping one of those players at the end of the bench depending on how they perform in camp.
Prediction: Knicks finish third in Atlantic division, compete for 7/8 playoff spot in eastern conference.
