Players competing for their next contracts?
Hungry campers.
Enes Kanter is many things, but stupid is not one of them.
I believe he would dearly like to be part of the NEW New York Knicks. And I think management is open to the possibility.
Can he step up defensively and develop an effective long-range jumper?
Competing for his next contract. Don't write him or his cap hold off quite yet.
Trey Burke?
Also competing for his next contract. He played with enormous heart and soul when he finally got his chance. At times, he was an offensive marvel. Can he improve his defense and ramp up his efficiency. We know he can create for himself, sort of Iverson Light. But can he make better decisions as a facilitator?
Emmanuel Mudiay. Next summer the Knicks hold a player option. Is Mudiay a wash out or simply in need of context and discipline. Fizdale has already brushed off the notion that he did not receive good coaching in Denver, speaking up for Mike Malone. Mudiay has enormous physical presence; a big ballhandler with a robust body and good instincts, but tremendously inconsistent, some of which might come down to experience, or the lack thereof, and conditioning, or the lack thereof. There were times, one was dumbfounded by his lack of basic skills. There were other times, when everything snapped into focus, and you saw the makings of a first rate point guard, and possibly a truly effective defender.
Mario Hezonja. On a one year make good, for MCE money. It remains to be seen if he can fulfill Fizdale's vision of a positionless player, capable of playing effectively at the 2-3-4. What is his ideal position? Who and how well can he defend. I think his ability to get to the rack, move without the ball, and hit from long range, is a given, least ways, a distinct likelihood, based on the final third of his season with the Magic. Can he defend? Who can he defend (2-3-4?). And at what level? If any.
It could go either way.
Could come next spring, we be exulting the future of our four reclamation projects Kanter-Burke-Mudiay-Hezonja with as much passion as we are currently projecting on to Ntilikina-Knox-Robinson? Or simply pining away for the draft lottery and free agency?
Stay tuned.
Pray Hard For Retards.