Burks is a starter, a sixth or seventh guy on a contender, but a starter and scorer for a team like us.
Mitch and Barrett are clear starters. That covers SG, SF, and C.
Randle, Obi, and Noel need to establish a pecking order through competition. We’re typically looking at PF being a Randle - Obi battle, but I don’t think there’s much difference between Randle and Noel’s outside game. Whatever post up or rebounding advantage Randle brings might be more than offset by Noel’s bounce, quickness, and Defense. If Obi can outperform both of those guys as a aggregate two-way player, he should start and we drafted very well. Mitch + Noel with Randle, Toppin, and Spellman as reserves might be the best look for us.
Payton, Frank, DSJ, Rivers, and Quickley are heading into a similar battle for minutes and precedence.
In Noel, Burks, and Rivers we brought in guys who excelled in limited roles for successful teams. If they were here as ballast to reprise their roles on a likely losing team, it would have taken more money to sign them. They took small salaries for the chance to earn expanded roles setting themselves up for paydays next year, either with us or someone else.
I can see MKG taking the Exhibit 10 if he doesn’t make the team to use Knicks staff and facilities to further his rehab and try to improve his offensive game. For a guy who’s had a fat contract already (assuming he hasn’t squandered it), it’s not a bad career move.
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