The Times' Stephen Bondy breaks down the Knicks' top stories heading into training camp.
best fight
Barring any surprises, the starting lineup appears to be mostly set: PG Jalen Brunson, SG Mikal Bridges, SF Josh Hart, PFOG Anunoby, and C Karl-Anthony Towns.
It's a small lineup with no rim protection, but it maximizes the talent of the five best players on the roster.
Therefore, the best battles in camp will be fought in reserve time.
Assuming Miles McBride is the sixth man, that leaves Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims, Tyler Kolek, Cam Payne, and Landry Shamet with a chance to earn playing time. Who will impress you in Charleston?
A story to watch for development
Everything related to town.
It's one thing to have a player join a new team in the summer, but when the trade is a blockbuster roster change completed days before training camp, the adjustments on and off the court are on a whole other level.
A similar move that sent Dame Lillard to Milwaukee last year didn't work out.
He was transferred the night before training camp and struggled mightily, losing focus and feeling comfortable. Conversely, Jrue Holiday was sent to Boston under similar circumstances and won a title.
Towns, 28, played his entire career in Minnesota and is now reunited with the coach he once criticized for stunting his players' development. How Towns fits into the system, culture and locker room will be worth watching from day one.
Coach's toughest challenge
Adjust and rethink your defense. Assuming Towns is the center until Mitchell Robinson returns (which could take a while), the Knicks will lack a presence to protect the rim and be vulnerable in the paint.
It goes against the philosophy and plan that made Tom Thibodeau's successful defense in New York.
The team also sacrificed depth in trades and prioritized the health of their starters more.
Newcomer attracting the most attention
The Knicks' confidence in Tyler Kolek can be measured in dollars.
They gave the rookie $9 million over four years, including $6.6 million in guaranteed money, which is an NBA record for a second-round pick.
Kolek had a great summer league performance, reinforcing the belief that the Marquette man can earn a rotation spot on a contending team.
He has competition as a backup point guard — especially McBride, who is better suited as a shooting guard, and rookie Payne — but Kolek may already be the best passer on the roster.
The most intriguing newcomer
Even with Towns' blockbuster, Bridges was the biggest trade acquisition of the Leon Rose era and should fit right in with his college friends in the locker room.
Bridges, a role player for the Suns and Brooklyn's No. 1 option, is expected to be an immediate starter as a starting small forward.
You'll soon find out. Training camp is also about team bonding, and it would be wise for the Villanova trio of Brunson, Hart and Bridges to incorporate the rest of the team into their crew.
Most notable absence
Julius Randle has participated in his fifth consecutive training camp, the most for the Knicks since Robinson was injured once. And now I'm off to frigid Minnesota.
The deal comes just days after Randle named a basketball court in the South Bronx after him as he helped donate more than $1.3 million to the high school. Rough business.
On the court, Randle was the Knicks' 17th all-time leading scorer and the first three-time All-Star since Carmelo Anthony, who also led the Knicks in 3-point shooting for the fourth time.
biggest comeback
Anunoby ended last season without playing Game 7 due to hamstring tightness.
Including the playoffs, he missed 31 of the final 49 games due to injury, further raising the red flag about his durability.
But the Knicks clearly weren't overly concerned.
They gave Anunoby a fully guaranteed contract worth $212.5 million and then made him a power forward in the Randle trade.
For this season to be successful, Anunoby will need to stay healthy.
Don't be surprised…
The Knicks have struggled in the preseason.
Their star point guard underwent hand surgery over the summer. He has made a full recovery, but it will take time to find his rhythm.
Remember, Brunson and Hart both played for Team USA last summer.
This summer, they did a podcast during the Olympics.
As previously mentioned, Anunoby missed last season after undergoing elbow surgery. The bridge is new. Towns is new.
Hart usually doesn't hit his stride until February. This is not a secret to success at exhibitions that have little meaning.
