The Knicks have just kinda reconstructed a new team that is just barely better than last years team.
I'm not sure whether I agree with you here.
End of last year Knicks roster:
Toney Douglas / Duhon / Rodriguez
Wilson Chandler / T-Mac / Eddie House
Danilo Gallinari / Bill Walker / Jonathan Bender
Earl Barron / Al Harrington
David Lee / Eddy Curry
Knicks roster now:
Ray Felton / Toney Douglas
Azubuike / Bill Walker
Danilo Gallinari / Wilson Chandler
Anthony Randolph / Turiaf
Amare Stoudemire / Mozgov / Curry
I actually don't think Amare is that much better than David Lee, but they got better pretty much everywhere else except for SF. They won't be great, but they could very well challenge for the 8th seed if Anthony Randolph has a breakout year, which is entirely likely.
Shannon Brown is not really necessary for that team...he'd just give them more depth.