Sports

New York Knicks 2021-22 NBA Roster: Will Evan Fournier’s Olympic Success Help Julius Randle with a Deeper Playoff Run

The New York Knicks were one of the youngest rosters in the league when they entered the 2020-21 season. However, Tom Thibodeau and his youthful men played with character and grit as they put an end to the seven-year playoffs drought. They proved that the investment from James Dolan & Scott Perry into rebuilding the team was worth it.

But the super-hyped Knicks faltered during the postseason as they fell 1-4 against the hustlers in the Hawks. That Round 1 loss called for some changes in the roster to make it more equipped to handle the pressure of knockouts. Yet, with names like Damian Lillard dangling around, the Knicks have not signed many big names in the off-season so far.

Incoming players

Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier is a long-range shooting expert that is more reliable than Reggie Bullock. His recent show with Team France at the Tokyo Olympics is proof of his caliber when he plays in the right mindset.

Kemba Walker

After a buyout situation in the struggling OKC, Kemba Walker found a much better place to go in the Knicks. Although he tasted his peak performance a couple of years back with the Hornets, the man grew in his leadership when playing at All-Star level with the Celtics. He can certainly help the Knicks in the playoffs.

Dwayne Bacon

Post losing their 3-and-D player in Reggie Bullock, the Knicks acquired Dwayne Bacon to help its wing rotation. Former Magic player Dwayne was one of the very few athletes who played all the 72 games in the last season. Although his three-point shooting is nowhere as good as Reggie’s he can improve under a better coaching system.

NEW YORK, WELCOME YOUR NEWEST KNICKS pic.twitter.com/tbmjiOB32w

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) July 30, 2021

Apart from these, the four rookies (#25, #34, #36, and #58) will further help them build for the future. They have signed Quentin Grimes, Rokas Jakubaitis, Deuce McBride, and Jericho Sims.

Outgoing players

Reggie Bullock

29-YO small forward Reggie Bullock hit free agency on August 3rd as he found his new home in the Dallas Mavericks. The 6’6” star played two seasons with the Knicks and averaged 10 points at 39.3% three-point shooting.

Elfrid Payton

In the 2021 Championship runners-up Suns’ bid to improve their backcourt depth, they added Elfrid Payton to the squad. In a one-year deal, the 27-YO point guard, who is averaging in double figures for eight straight seasons, would join Phoenix.

Free agent guard Elfrid Payton has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 10, 2021

The two other names whose free agency fate is yet to find a ferry are Theo Pinson & Frank Ntilikina.