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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Can Knicks live without Kristaps Porzingis?

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on during their Open Practice on September 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on during their Open Practice on September 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 03: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball on offense against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game at Barclays Center on October 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 03: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball on offense against the Brooklyn Nets during a preseason game at Barclays Center on October 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Point Guard

Starter: Trey Burke

Depth: Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay

There are no easy answers for the Knicks entering the 2018-19 season as it pertains to the point guard position. Even as the preseason wears on, there is still no definitive answer as to who the team should start at the position. Unfortunately for the Knicks, the reason that they have a quandary in regards to the position isn’t because they have so much talent, but rather a collection of highly imperfect pieces.

Trey Burke was actually impressive when on the floor for New York last season, putting up 12.8 points and 4.7 assists per game in just 21.8 minutes per contest. More impressively, the former Michigan guard was able to put that up while shooting 50.3 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from 3. Based on that, it might seem like an easy decision to dub him the starter, despite that 36-game run being an outlier for his career.

Having said that, the upside of Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina makes them both enticing options to see heavy minutes at point guard. Mudiay, in theory, should be further in his development but continues to be a work-in-progress with all the athletic tools to succeed, but having yet to put them together on the hardwood. Ntilikina is similarly raw with tools, though he’s less far along in his development.

The Knicks point guards will be compelling, if nothing else, this season. There are things to like about all three options, but also obvious red flags for each. Thus, it’ll be interesting to see if any player among this trio is able to take a step forward and plant their stake firmly as the starter for this team now and potentially for the future.