![Sep 24, 2018; New York Knicks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (6) addresses the media at Knicks Media Day, Greenburgh, NY, USA; [CAPTION] at MSG training facility. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports / Wendell Cruz](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.contentstack.io%2Fv3%2Fassets%2Fbltf7a82b39b0908da4%2Fbltbfd3433566025cae%2F64e2d717533322b07d674709%2Fraw.jpg%3Fformat%3Djpg%26quality%3D75&w=3840&q=75)
With training camps underway across the NBA, ESPN released their latest power rankings. And the Knicks are at the bottom of the heap.
The group of more than 40 reporters, insiders and editors positioned the Knicks at No. 26 heading into the new season.
It has been the stigma surrounding the Knicks this offseason, that their current rebuild state and absence of Kristaps Porzingis won't make them a competitor this season. However, the addition of rookie F Kevin Knox will be intriguing to watch from the get-go as he will get the chance to make an immediate impact on the floor.
"He'll have to earn it, but Knicks rookie Kevin Knox will be given every opportunity to win the club's starting small forward job in training camp," ESPN's Ian Begley wrote. "Knox impressed the Knicks -- and many opposing executives -- with a strong showing in summer league, and David Fizdale and his coaching staff will get their first extended look at Knox against NBA competition in training camp. If Knox can hold his own in camp and during the season, it will give the Knicks another young building block to market to free agents in the summer of 2019."
That is one goal for president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry: To make the Knicks marketable to free agents in 2019. Having players like Knox, rookie C Mitchell Robinson, and F Mario Hezonja perform well, it could entice top free agents like Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and Kevin Durant to consider signing with the Knicks.
But the Knicks and new head coach David Fizdale will have to work with their young roster for now. Some of the key losses this season are Michael Beasley and Kyle O'Quinn, who both found new homes in free agency this offseason.
Though they aren't projected to do it a lot, the Knicks are focused on winning this season. And they will do whatever it takes to bring that feeling back to Madison Square Garden. Just ask Knox.
"I just want to win. I feel like that's something, in New York, they haven't seen in a while," Knox told ESPN. "So that's something that we hopefully can bring back this year, win some games. Get to the playoffs and stuff like that."