As we all know, the New York Knicks had a number of problems last year. The biggest problem though, was lack of competitiveness. Phil Jackson still has a lot to do, but they are on the right track. That competitive hunger will return during the 2015-16 season, and the Knicks will only be a few years away from actually contending in the Eastern Conference once again.

New York might’ve not signed any big names during free agency this year, but that will turn into a blessing in disguise. Quick fixes in the NBA are overrated at the very least, and the Knicks had much bigger problems than competing for a championship in 2014. Great teams like the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors rely on the basics: competitiveness, team play, defense and ball movement. The Knicks lacked in all four categories last year; so even if you wanted a second star to play opposite Carmelo Anthony in 2015, it’s much better that the wish didn’t come true.

Establishing an identity of hard-nosed aggressive basketball is much more important than acquiring the biggest-name free agent. Jackson understands this, and that’s why he’s doing what he’s doing. His phenomenal mind-blowing transactions only began on draft day.

Not only did he draft the very talented unknown entity of Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall, but he also traded Tim Hardaway Jr. for rookie Jerian Grant from Notre Dame. Five years from now, that could wind up being the best draft-day trade since Kevin Love for O.J. Mayo in 2008. What a great move to snag a future franchise player.

The 2015 draft was only the beginning however, as free agency soon followed. Most people might consider the Knicks as busts this offseason, but I think they’ve done extremely well.

They signed former Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez to a four-year deal worth $54 million. That might seem a little high for most, but Lopez is very underrated. He is a very solid center in the league, and his passing ability and soft hands make him very hard to dislike. His competitiveness made the deal happen though, because if there’s one thing Jackson and coach Derek Fisher want on their team, it’s hard work and toughness.

Kyle O’Quinn, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams and Lance Thomas all fit that bill as well. Even the recent departure of Andrea Bargnani screams new faces for this once dominant franchise. This brand new personal change will go far, and even though it’s not the names most expect, it will produce fantastic results for the future.

A competitive New York Knicks franchise is on the horizon.

Samuel Martell is Oklahoma City’s beat writer at www.RantSports.com. To stay connected, ‘follow’ him on Twitter, ‘like’ him on Facebook, or ‘add’ him to your network on Google.