With how well Derrick Rose is playing, along with Immanuel Quickley and Frank Ntilikina, New York has a potential Elfrid Payton move to make, with teams like the Los Angeles Clippers looking for more at point guard.
Alec Burks would be mighty useful to a contender that could happily give up a first-round pick. There are too many options for Leon Rose to sit still.
Kevin Knox returns to the rotation
Kevin Knox isn’t having the breakout year many had hoped for, but until he went through a minor slump that led to a benching, he gave the Knicks good backup minutes. Chances are, whether it be due to injury or others not playing well, Knox ends up back in the rotation at some point.
It didn’t look like Ntilikina would see the court again, and here we are. Knox is due as well, especially given the one skill the Knicks know he’s bringing to the court: shooting. His knockdown catch-and-shoot threes and size at the wing should both be valuable to Tom Thibodeau in this second half.
Julius Randle drops 50 points in a game
Randle has already gotten close with a 44-point outing against the Atlanta Hawks, and his scoring has been up in recent games. New York’s shaky offense has gotten them into trouble many times, and it’s often Randle stepping up to get them out of it.
Picture an injury, or small losing streak putting the Knicks in danger of missing the playoffs. Randle’s been nearly impossible to guard when he turns it on, and in those situations he’ll be forced to. This is his dream season after all, and it deserves another crowning achievement.
Derrick Rose becomes the full-time starting point guard
Whether it happens via trade or just a coaching decision, this feels inevitable. Rose has been the better creator and shooter. At times, even the better defender.
It’s tough to switch up what’s working, but the Payton-led starting lineups aren’t, statistically. Rose is the more dynamic player and better fit for Randle and RJ Barrett, who need space to operate. If Thibodeau hasn’t noticed already, he’s sure to soon.
Knicks make the playoffs
This is predicted with conviction. The Knicks are only 2.5 games ahead of the 11 seed, but they are playing some of their best basketball of the season. Behind the second-best defense in the league, they should have enough to beat out the competition for a slot.
There are undoubtedly threats ahead. The Washington Wizards remembered they have two stars and the Hawks could get in a groove under new coaching. But faith is strong in this team and its management, and for good reason. This year is different, and the Knicks are planning on proving it.
