There was one last reason to watch the Knicks this season, one hope
for the fading excitement to reinvigorate, to flicker, and now that
light is off. The bulb popped the instant Kristaps Porzingis' ACL
snapped.
What's left is darkness and uncertainty.
But there are options that could make it productive. Here are three pressing questions (littered with suggestions for answers) that the Knicks face both immediately and in the coming months about preparing for their murky future:
Kristaps Porzingis out for season after tearing ACL in left knee
1. Will the Knicks now be more determined to sell at the deadline?
The Knicks were hit with this bomb of devastation less than 48 hours before Thursday's trade deadline so there wasn't time to prepare. But president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry should know the market for their players by now and could press the nuclear button on this roster. The logic for selling en masse is easy to understand: Why keep around veterans like Courtney Lee, Kyle O'Quinn, Jarrett Jack, Lance Thomas, Michael Beasley and even Enes Kanter if there's no hope for the playoffs? Why not accumulate the most draft assets possible? Of course, they could also look to deal some of those guys at a later point, whether it's at the draft or during next season. And it's not like any of the above mentioned players are coveted trade chips. But the idea of holding on to veterans for the sake of a playoff run is now a nonsensical philosophy.
Josh McDaniels turns down Colts head coaching job, will stay with Patriots and eventually replace Bill Belichick: report
2. Will this affect Kristaps Porzingis’ big contract?
Porzingis is eligible for a five-year, $150 million extension this summer and the Knicks were inclined to offer it. But would they make that commitment to a player who is in the middle of recovering from a devastating knee injury? This is now an extremely tricky situation. The Knicks could make the same offer to Porzingis when he's a restricted free agent in the summer of 2019 and, in the process, save about $10 million in cap space for a free agency class that includes Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard. Waiting to see how a Unicorn returns from an ACL tear makes sense. But you have to assume that Porzingis and his camp desire the security of the contract ASAP — especially under these circumstances — and it's important to maintain a positive and trusting relationship with the franchise star.
3. Does this immediately accelerate a sputtering player development movement (because it should)?
We understand Jeff Hornacek is in a tough spot. He probably won't be the Knicks coach next year and it behooves his resume to win games. But that shouldn't be the franchise's priority for the remainder of this season. It's time to activate the development of Frank Ntilikina by putting the rookie in the starting lineup and extending his minutes. It's time to unglue Willy Hernangomez from the bench if he's not traded. It's time to experiment with youthful lineups and give an opportunity to Damyean Dotson. The worst that can happen is the Knicks lose and improve their draft lottery status. Or, maybe that's the best thing that can happen. What nobody should witness again is Jarrett Jack bringing up the ball and passing it to Michael Beasley for an isolation move that sucks the air out of player development.
read more
What's left is darkness and uncertainty.
But there are options that could make it productive. Here are three pressing questions (littered with suggestions for answers) that the Knicks face both immediately and in the coming months about preparing for their murky future:
Kristaps Porzingis out for season after tearing ACL in left knee
1. Will the Knicks now be more determined to sell at the deadline?
The Knicks were hit with this bomb of devastation less than 48 hours before Thursday's trade deadline so there wasn't time to prepare. But president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry should know the market for their players by now and could press the nuclear button on this roster. The logic for selling en masse is easy to understand: Why keep around veterans like Courtney Lee, Kyle O'Quinn, Jarrett Jack, Lance Thomas, Michael Beasley and even Enes Kanter if there's no hope for the playoffs? Why not accumulate the most draft assets possible? Of course, they could also look to deal some of those guys at a later point, whether it's at the draft or during next season. And it's not like any of the above mentioned players are coveted trade chips. But the idea of holding on to veterans for the sake of a playoff run is now a nonsensical philosophy.
Josh McDaniels turns down Colts head coaching job, will stay with Patriots and eventually replace Bill Belichick: report
2. Will this affect Kristaps Porzingis’ big contract?
Porzingis is eligible for a five-year, $150 million extension this summer and the Knicks were inclined to offer it. But would they make that commitment to a player who is in the middle of recovering from a devastating knee injury? This is now an extremely tricky situation. The Knicks could make the same offer to Porzingis when he's a restricted free agent in the summer of 2019 and, in the process, save about $10 million in cap space for a free agency class that includes Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard. Waiting to see how a Unicorn returns from an ACL tear makes sense. But you have to assume that Porzingis and his camp desire the security of the contract ASAP — especially under these circumstances — and it's important to maintain a positive and trusting relationship with the franchise star.
3. Does this immediately accelerate a sputtering player development movement (because it should)?
We understand Jeff Hornacek is in a tough spot. He probably won't be the Knicks coach next year and it behooves his resume to win games. But that shouldn't be the franchise's priority for the remainder of this season. It's time to activate the development of Frank Ntilikina by putting the rookie in the starting lineup and extending his minutes. It's time to unglue Willy Hernangomez from the bench if he's not traded. It's time to experiment with youthful lineups and give an opportunity to Damyean Dotson. The worst that can happen is the Knicks lose and improve their draft lottery status. Or, maybe that's the best thing that can happen. What nobody should witness again is Jarrett Jack bringing up the ball and passing it to Michael Beasley for an isolation move that sucks the air out of player development.
read more
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