The New York Knicks are about to finish another very disappointing season that will have them missing the playoffs yet again. New York has a long laundry list of things they would like to accomplish before next season, but paramount among the roster issues is the point guard position.
The Knicks have played this season with Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway getting the majority of the minutes at point guard, and it hasn't gone well. Galloway is no longer playing point guard, as the Knicks ended that experiment, Calderon can't stop anyone on defense, and Grant has had major rookie struggles.
The Knicks kind of addressed the point guard situation earlier this season when they signed Tony Wroten, but he hasn't played for them this year. New York signed Wroten with future intentions, as interim head coach Kurt Rambis has said he has "deficiencies in his injured leg." Because of those deficiencies the Knicks had always planned to hold Wroten out for this season which is why they signed him to a multi-year deal.
Wroten is certainly not a surefire solution to the point guard problems the Knicks have had, as he is turnover prone and inefficient from the floor, but he is confident in himself, and that can't be denied. Wroten says he is working hard to get back from a torn ACL he suffered last season, and his goal is to be the Knicks' starting point guard next season. Team president Phil Jackson is apparently a big fan of Wroten, and the Knicks don't have many other internal options, so as long as he shows he is healthy in the summer league and offseason Wroten has a legitimate shot at starting.
Even though the Knicks have Wroten for next year it is expected that they will go after some other point guards in free agency as well. Mike Conley is the big name who will be on the market, and the Knicks will try to get him, but they should not be satisfied with only adding Wroten. Even if Wroten is going to be the starting point guard they will likely need to add another floor general because Calderon is likely gone, and Grant still may not be ready for big minutes next season.
The 22-year-old Wroten appeared in eight games for the Philadelphia 76ers this season before being waived. Wroten was trying to work his way back from a torn ACL, but he has said he tried to return too soon. The Knicks can't really bank on him being healthy next season so they need to be active in looking for other point guard options, but Wroten has confidence he will be back and better than ever, so that is a good thing.
