New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle comes off a wonderful season in which he became, frankly, a better basketball player than probably even the Knicks imagined. For fantasy basketball purposes, Randle became a surprise superstar, playing a ton of minutes, scoring bundles of points and effectively directing the offense, astounding everyone averaging six assists per game as well. Magnificent numbers, top-10 on Player Rater and in points formats.
The problem for the Knicks, and fantasy basketball managers, are the other Knicks, and this will be a similar theme during the 2021-22 season. As a result, it seems unlikely, based on expected draft results, that any Knicks appear on my fantasy teams.
Kemba Walker used to be a fantasy superstar back in his Charlotte Hornets days, but chronic left knee troubles derailed his path with the Boston Celtics. Walker missed nearly a third of Celtics games the past two seasons, and he was not healthy in the playoffs. Statistically, Walker was hardly the same player, shooting less from the field and free throw line, scoring less, accruing fewer assists, looking rather average. Hey, I hope he succeeds in Gotham, but he is 31. Players rarely get healthier in their 30s. Do not expect durability or perhaps even his Celtics stats, not with Randle and Derrick Rose around.