Despite missing out on Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard, the New York Knicks have hoped to turn over a new leaf by aiming for solid instead of flashy.

While many expected splashy signings to show up at MSG next season, the front office has instead signed great value, putting together a roster of capable players on smart deals, at least according to new point guard Elfrid Payton:

“Just sit back and watch, man. They’ll grow to love this group of guys,” Payton told Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “It’s totally natural to feel some type of way when you miss out on guys like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but I think they’re going to grow to love this group. I feel we embody what New York basketball was about back in the day – just being grimy, tough guys who play with a chip on their shoulder and have something to prove.”

The Knicks have agreed to deals with Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson and Payton. All but Randle have two-year contracts with team options, maintaining flexibility for the future.

The front office has given coach David Fizdale a core of hard-playing, chip-on-the-shoulder players along with capable shooters and reputable veterans to take on this season.

New York should not finish as the bottom-feeding team the way it did last season when it was tanking for the No. 1 pick — instead giving MSG faithful a glimmer of hope that this franchise can go in the right direction.