The Knicks don’t need to sign LeBron James next summer. Or Dwyane Wade. Or Chris Bosh. Yeah, I said it. What they need is for the 2009-10 season to start. I’m sure Knicks fans need that too.

They need this season to start so they can develop the young talent they’ve assembled. President Donnie Walsh and head coach Mike D’Antoni have changed the culture of the Knicks from rife with scandal, bad contracts and me-first prima donnas (Oh, Isiah) to include young talent, hungry players and an exciting style of play. D’Antoni’s Seven-Seconds-Or-Less (SSOL) offense is a fast-paced system that attacks the defense before they get set. It’s a hell of a lot of fun to watch, too. Virtually all of the Knicks have skill-sets that excel in that type of offense.

Forward Danilo Gallinari is the ideal type of player for SSOL. Standing 6 feet 10 inches, Gallinari possesses playmaking ability, ball-handling skills and a shooting touch that make him a potentially special player. The 21-year-old is going to have free reign this year to show his stuff in the Knicks’ run-‘n-gun offense. This guy is turning into the face of the franchise. Expect Gallinari to play small forward, power forward and even some point forward. Dare I say the next Larry Bird? I dare not. A future All-Star? Quite possibly.

Swingman Wilson Chandler is another player set to take off this year. After showing marked improvements in his jump shot last year, Chandler started to become the Knicks’ go-to guy in the fourth quarter of games. With his slashing ability, finishing prowess and versatility, Chandler’s offensive game is tough for any defender to stop.

The Knicks acquired center/power forward Darko Milicic this past summer in an attempt to add a legitimate shot-blocker to the team. Milicic, the second-overall pick in the 2003 draft, has never fulfilled expectations. However, D’Antoni has a reputation for maximizing the talents of European players with unique skill-sets. Maybe he can turn him into a solid starter.

The Knicks also have two rookies expected to compete for minutes. Toney Douglas and Jordan Hill are some of the young blood expected to help turn the team around from its losing ways.

Point guard Chris Duhon is returning to lead the offense. Fan favorite and double-double machine David Lee is back to dominate the boards. Sparkplug Nate “Shake and Bake” Robinson gives the Knicks instant offense off the bench. Al Harrington was the Knicks’ leading scorer last season and will provide a veteran presence for the young guys. The versatile Jared Jeffries returns as well; he was probably the best defender on the team last year (that doesn’t say much).

Oh, and you’re treated to watching Eddy Curry sit on the bench in his suit while he wipes Krispy Kreme off of his collar for one more season. Bet you really can’t wait for the season now, huh?

Will the Knicks make the playoffs this year? Probably not. Their defense is inconsistent, and they don’t really have a bona-fide star (yet). They’re still too small in the frontcourt. But they are headed in the right direction, and Knicks fans will see that this season. The team will be exciting. They’ll be “dishin’ and swishin’,” as Knicks announcer Walt “Clyde” Frazier likes to say. They’ll be able to defeat any team on any given night with their explosive offense and 3-point shooting.

The Knicks shouldn’t count on LeBron James coming to town next summer. If he does, great! He can be Gallinari’s sidekick … but seriously, the Knicks’ future is bright, and they’ll be a team New Yorkers can root for this year.