The New York Knicks are working to improve after winning over 50 games last season and after acquiring Andrea Barngani in a trade and signing back JR Smith the next step is the summer league, where a number of players will try to prove themselves to make the roster.
The team is using both Iman Shumpert and first round pick Tim Hardaway Jr. in the summer league as well as newly signed C.J. Leslie, who has a good chance of making the roster depending on how he plays. The summer league is a good time to work out raw players to see what they have and the Knicks will need some depth after the Raptors deal and this might be the best way to get it.
Shumpert will be able to work on some things in the summer league and while he is only going to play a few games, Hardaway should be able to use that time to get acclimated with the team and show why he was taken with the first round pick. Shumpert likely will work more on offense than defense over the summer and he likely will also play some point guard next season and he can do that in the summer league as well.
The number 24 pick in the draft has a new four-year, $6 million deal and he will get his first taste of the NBA with the summer league. He likely will work on his perimeter defense as well as his shot selection and based on how some of the other rookies have played, Hardaway will get plenty of chances to shine. Leslie could end up being a nice addition to the roster after signing as an undrafted free agent and his athleticism could be something the Knicks use this season coming off the bench.
Last season the team went 54-28 and ranked seventh in scoring defense while ranking 11th in points per game. The team hopes to improve in both areas and adding Smith will play a big part in that. The team also can sign Carmelo Anthony to a five-year extension in February, according to ESPN.com, which would come ahead of free agency in 2014.
The roster includes:
Tim Hardaway Jr., C.J. Leslie, Shumpert as well as J'Covan Brown (Texas), Justin Brownlee (St. John's), Terrence Jennings (Louisville), Jerome Jordan (D-League), A.J. Matthews (Farmingdale State), Tony Mitchell (D-League), Toure Murry (D-League), Chris Smith (J.R.'s younger brother), Jeremy Tyler (D-League) and Eloy Vargas (overseas).
