OKC Thunder vs. New York Knicks, 2019-20 team preview
A very odd summer in the Mecca to say the least. Although the big win was getting RJ Barrett at the draft the rest of the brain trust decisions were at times baffling. For example, General Manager Scott Perry signed four forwards five if you count Reggie Bullock. Factor in the other forwards on the team include Kevin Knox, and both their draft picks are forwards and one of their training camp invites is also a forward (Kenny Wooten). I mean I’ve heard of positionless basketball but this is definitely a strange roster.
Some other odd choices the Knicks brain trust made was letting players like Luke Kornet and Noah Vonleh walk. Both exhibited growth last season and while it’s understandable they couldn’t retain DeAndre Jordan who exited to join his buddies on the Nets surely they could’ve sweetened the pot for Kornet and Vonleh.
Perhaps this speaks to the lack of culture with the storied franchise, but it was believed things had changed. Apparently not enough!
What this means is each of Reggie Bullock (who’ll miss at least the start of the season with a neck issue highlighted in his physical prior to inking his deal), Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Julius Randle, Marcus Morris RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, and Ignas Brazdeikis will all be fighting for playing time at the forward positions. Yikes!
Added:
G: Wayne Ellington (free agency)
G: Elfrid Payton (free agency)
G/F: Reggie Bullock (free agency)
F: Taj Gibson (free agency)
F: Marcus Morris (free agency)
F: Bobby Portis (free agency)
C/F: Julius Randle (free agency)
Draft:
F: RJ Barrett (No. 3 pick)
F: Ignas Brazdeikis (No. 47 pick, via trade from Kings)
Lost:
G: Emmanuel Mudiay (signed with Jazz)
F: Mario Hezonja (signed with Blazers)
F: Lance Thomas (waived)
F: Noah Vonleh (signed with Timberwolves)
C: DeAndre Jordan (signed with Nets)
Free Agents:
G: John Jenkins (unrestricted)
F/G: Billy Garrett (unrestricted)
F: Henry Ellenson (unrestricted)
Isaiah Hicks (unrestricted)
Luke Kornet (unrestricted)