Knicks' Complete 2022-23 Season Preview and Predictions
The last two seasons for the New York Knicks have been your classic case of taking one step forward and two steps back.
The forward progress came during their breakthrough 2020-21 campaign, when they posted a .569 winning percentage and snagged the Eastern Conference's No. 4 seed. Unfortunately, things spiraled last year, as they lost 45 games and sank to 11th in the conference standings.
The Knicks, surely fueled by last season's disappointment, aggressively attacked the offseason and added Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein. They didn't, however, reel in oft-discussed trade target Donovan Mitchell, meaning their search for a star continues.
Can this core produce a star of its own? If not, can the Knicks be competitive in a deep conference?
Offseason Recap
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New York's inability to land Mitchell, a three-time All-Star who hails from the Empire State, was perhaps the biggest talking point from the team's summer.
That's a shame, since it overshadows some shrewd moves by the front office.
It's impossible to know whether Brunson will earn all of his new nine-figure deal, but there's no denying this franchise badly needed a point guard and additional shot-creator, and he can scratch both itches. His numbers were held in check a bit by serving as second fiddle to Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks, but the 26-year-old still found his way to 16.3 points and 4.8 assists last season.
Hartenstein, meanwhile, arrives in the Big Apple boasting a deep and polished skill set. Other than outside shooting—which he began dabbling with a bit last season—his arsenal has a little of everything, as evidenced by his per-36-minute averages of 16.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.3 blocks.
There will be moments this season (maybe plenty of them) when he outplays Mitchell Robinson, who inked his own $60 million pact this summer.
Biggest Question
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Can they find a star?
Winning in the NBA without an elite talent is tough. Competing for the crown without one is impossible. Adding or developing a star is the next, non-negotiable step in the process of turning this team into a contender.
While the Knicks have the trade chips to pounce should one become available, their best hope is developing a star in-house. Maybe that's as simple as getting Julius Randle, the 2020-21 Most Improved Player, back on track, but the biggest hopes lie with Brunson and New York's young core.
RJ Barrett, the 2019 No. 3 pick, makes star-level money now, so clearly the Knicks think he can take another step or two. Brunson had some awesome moments in Dallas, and maybe he can summon them more regularly without playing in Doncic's shadow.
It's even possible an up-and-comer like Immanuel Quickley or Obi Toppin makes a massive leap, though each would need to first find his way through a crowded position group.
Prediction
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Optimism is the October beverage of choice in the NBA, so Knicks fans are free to dream as big as they'd like at the moment.
Unfortunately, that same courtesy isn't extended to analysts, who can't view the hoops world through orange-and-blue lenses.
Given the strength of the conference right now, it's almost impossible to picture the Knicks nabbing more than a play-in tournament invite this season, and even that's not guaranteed. There are too many good teams ahead of them to allow for a spike up the standings without some of those squads running into serious trouble.
The Knicks should be better than last season, which would be a win. It's probably not the kind of winning the faithful covet, but it would be a sign of this young roster coming together and building a foundation for the future.
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