2014-15 season outlook: Cole Aldrich

New York Knicks' Cole Aldrich (45) shoots over Toronto Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 16, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Hunker down, get hydrated and tell your loved ones you will see them next spring.

Hopefully that’s not your mindset, but people should be warned: The at times seemingly never-ending NBA regular season is at hand.

The first handful of games tip off October 28, marking the start of the 82-game grind.

Thankfully for us, all we have to do is sit back and watch. To make sure you’re fully prepared for the 2014-15 campaign, we’ll be rolling out a season outlook for each former Kansas University player who currently calls The Association home.

Cole Aldrich — New York Knicks

6-foot-11 center | Fifth season

2013-14 numbers: 46 games | 7.2 minutes | 2.0 points | 2.8 rebounds | 54% FGs

Playing for four different franchises in his first four years in the NBA, Cole Aldrich never has found a spot in a team’s rotation since he starred in the post for Kansas at the college level.

This season might be his best chance to make his mark. The Knicks re-signed him as a free agent this past summer, so they want him around. He isn’t some random guy that got dumped on their roster as part of a big trade or anything like that.

Despite the majesty and grace of his pre-game warmup dunks, Aldrich finds himself entering this season, most likely, as the Knicks’ No. 3 or 4 low-post option — Amar’e Stoudemire, Samuel Dalembert and Jason Smith are the others.

He might need to send his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Derek Fisher — now his head coach in New York — a friendly text message:

“Hey, man. Remember me? We used to kick it in OKC. How bout some
minutes, bro?”

Aldrich only played three minutes in the Knicks’ preseason Monday night loss to Milwaukee. But Stoudemire almost always gets injured and misses some time, so Aldrich needs to capitalize on that or whatever other chances arise to make sure he can extend his career.

The backup big man signed a one-year deal with New York, reportedly for around $980,000. So playing time or not, life is good.

Whatever role he earns this season with New York, Aldrich will have fun. The Knicks figure to be in the mix for a playoff spot in the wide-open Eastern Conference and when he isn’t contributing during games the center can always entertain himself and others (well, maybe not others) with his fake tooth.

So what do we expect out of Aldrich for the 2014-15 season?

Basically, a big kid, living the dream.

— Follow @BentonASmith on Twitter.