The New York Knicks have had a lot of roster turnover this offseason after suffering through one of the worst season's in franchise history. The Knicks weren't able to get any of the big-name free agents, but they did add some pieces and they figure to be much improved. As it looks right now, the Knicks starting lineup heading into the season seems pretty straightforward for the most part, except for at power forward, where Alan Hahn of ESPN Radio believes rookie Kristaps Porzingis has a chance to start.
The Knicks have made it clear this offseason that they are going to do everything in their power to develop Porzingis into a solid NBA player. The best evidence of this was when they told LaMarcus Aldridge that if he signed with the Knicks he would have to play center because the rookie is a power forward. The best way to let Porzingis develop might be to let him go out there and learn through experience, which would mean starting him.
In contrast to that thought, though, team president Phil Jackson has said that he only wants to play the 20-year-old about 20 minutes per game early on so that he can get his feet wet. Based on that statement it would appear that the 7-foot-3 Latvian will be coming off the bench at least to start the season. A lot of this could change after training camp if Porzingis, who has reportedly put on 11 pounds this offseason, shows that he is ready for NBA action.
If the Knicks decide that the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft is better suited to come off the bench to start the year, their other options at power forward are Kyle O'Quinn, who Hahn thinks is the favorite to start, Derrick Williams and Kevin Seraphin. Seraphin is the backup center to Robin Lopez, so he will likely not get that spot, meaning it will come down to O'Quinn and Williams, two guys that bring completely different things to the table. O'Quinn will bring toughness and muscle to the starting lineup while Williams would provide athleticism and a stretch four.
Regardless of how you look at it, Porzingis is more than likely the long-term starter at power forward for the Knicks, and even if he doesn't open the year in the starting lineup he will likely get there at some point. The Knicks may choose to ease him into NBA action, but if he shows up to training camp and impresses he has a shot to earn that open spot.
