This summer James L. Dolan, the executive chairman of the New York Knicks is finally starting to turn the franchise in the right direction. In the summer of 2017, the Knicks parted ways with Phil Jackson who served as president of basketball operations.
In addition to parting ways with Jackson, the team managed to trade Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder before the start of the 2017-18 season. Last season, New York finished the 2017-18 season with an awful (29-53) record under head coach Jeff Hornacek. After finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference, the team decided to move on from Hornacek.
May 4, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, reported that David Fizdale would become the Knicks 29th head coach. You may remember Fizdale from his time in Miami as an assistant coach or his brief time with the Memphis Grizzlies. Fizdale was wrongfully relieved of his duties as the Memphis Grizzlies head coach after a slow start.
However, New York’s decision to hire the former Heat assistant coach was a solid move for the future of the franchise. The Californa native signed a four-year deal with the team, per Adrian Wojnarowski. The Knicks entered the 2018 NBA Draft with the No.9 and No.36 pick.
Every year Knicks fans gather around their television or at the actual draft to see who’s next. With the ninth pick in the draft, the team selected Kevin Knox out of the University of Kentucky. After selecting Knox in the first round, the team drafted Mitchell Robinson out of Western Kentucky University, in the second round with the 36th pick.
Both players add size, offense and a bit of defense to a Knicks team continuing to rebuild. Knox and Mitchell will make an instant impact in their rookie seasons. During free agency, the team signed a few possible role players which include Mario Hezonja, Noah Vonleh, Allonzo Trier and Luke Kornet. Outside of the 2018 draft, the Knicks offseason has been relatively quiet.
With New York’s home opener against the Atlanta Hawks roughly two months away coach Fizdale and company should have three goals in mind.
Next Up: Goal 3
