The Knicks‘ roster underwent some significant changes this offseason, and many of the club’s new additions recognize that there’s still work to be done before everyone is on the same page, per Howie Kussoy of The New York Post. Notably, Joakim Noah has been nagged by multiple injuries throughout the preseason, while Derrick Rose has barely practiced with the team, having spent a chunk of October in Los Angeles for his civil trial.
Here’s more from around the Atlantic division:
- The Raptors were fond of all their camp invitees this fall, but Fred VanVleet entered as the favorite to earn the team’s final roster spot, and he did just that, writes Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. As Wolstat notes, VanVleet – who turned down other offers to join the Raps this summer – will provide the team with point guard depth while Delon Wright recovers from his shoulder injury.
- The Nets have gone from one of the league’s slowest-paced teams to one of its most up-tempo teams, which has been a challenge for Brook Lopez. With Lopez struggling so far, Brian Lewis of The New York Post wonders if trade speculation and rumors surrounding the big man could increase as the season goes on. Brooklyn is still at least a couple years away from contention, and Lopez’s contract expires in 2018.
- In an interview with Newsday’s Greg Logan, new Nets point guard Jeremy Lin says he’s “extremely excited” to have the chance to run a team, which he describes as something he’s “waited a long time” for.