Michael Beasley: Knicks Can Make Playoffs, Says He Can Score 25 Points Per Game

New York Knicks forward Michael Beasley has high expectations for himself and his team prior to the 2017-18 season.

"If Tim Hardaway Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and myself [are on the roster]—those are four guys that can score 25 points per game," he said Tuesday, per Ian Begley of ESPN.com. "I think we've got a position to be not only a playoff team but a five, six seed team if we do it right."

Anthony—a 10-time All-Star who has averaged 24.8 points per game throughout his career—has the best shot, even though he hasn't averaged 25 since 2013-14. Porzingis upped his scoring average to 18.1 in his sophomore season, though averaging 25 is unlikely with Anthony on the roster.

Hardaway had a career year last season with the Atlanta Hawks (14.5 PPG) before signing a surprising four-year, $71 million contract with the Knicks. He may well set a new career high in points, but averaging 16 or 17 per game is more realistic.

Beasley, selected second overall in the 2008 draft, is a scorer at heart. It's why he's still in the league after failing to live up to the hype. But he hasn't averaged over 24 minutes per game since 2010-11 for a reason, and he's unlikely to do so on his sixth NBA team. He'll be lucky to crack double figures in scoring.

New York's season-long rotation also isn't a sure thing with Anthony's status. If he's dealt, it would mean more shot attempts for the aforementioned trio. Even then, 25 for any of the three would be a surprise. And if Beasley did it? It would be the shock of the 2017-18 season.

Regardless, the team has no where to go but up after finishing 31-51 last season and missing the playoffs the last four years.

Willy Hernangomez showed promise as a rookie, and new additions Frank Ntilikina (draft) and Hardaway will help. Perhaps even Joakim Noah can stay healthy and provide a fraction of the production he offered during his heyday with the Chicago Bulls.