The New York Knicks may not be considered as playoff contenders in the upcoming 2019-20 season, but that doesn't mean they won't try.

Taj Gibson, who signed with the Knicks this offseason, isn't promising New York fans a playoff berth. However, he vowed that the team will do their best to make it to the postseason. The veteran forward also expressed his belief that the Knickerbockers have the talent to contend and give the top teams a run for their money.

“That’s the plan, to go and compete for a playoff spot, and I think we have the group to do it,” Gibson said, per Brian Heyman of Newsday.

“We’ve got some good veterans. We’ve got some serious individuals and a great explosive young core. I think we’ll be ready . . . Last year was different because there was a tanking season. But even when we played against them when I was with Minnesota, they were a tough group. It’s all about keep getting better.”

The Knicks failed to acquire their top targets this offseason, with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant opting to join their cross-borough rivals Brooklyn Nets. General manager Scott Perry and co. then moved quickly to Plan B, signing mid-tier free agents such as Gibson, Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock and Wayne Ellington.

New York also boasts a promising young core headlined by Dennis Smith Jr., Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox and 2019 third-overall pick RJ Barrett.

The team finished with the worst record in the league (17-65) last year, but that figures to improve with their revamped roster. Whether it will be enough to make the playoffs remains to be seen, but there's no doubt all the players have the motivation to prove their doubters wrong.