It seems as if the New York Knicks are stuck in a purgatory that restrains them from besting the .500 mark. In the past two seasons, they have only amassed 60 total wins, but have been impressive in the loss category managing 104. In 2018, we shouldn’t expect to see much improvement, as it will take at least a season for the youngsters on the team to develop into serviceable NBA players, and we must factor in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis.
Will Kristaps Porzingis miss the entire season for the New York Knicks?
It’s more than possible the Knicks choose to sit Porzingis for the entire season to guarantee a 100% recovery, especially when considering it will likely be a re-building year for the team. We can’t rule out a decent season that could require the service of the unicorn, but it be realistic, it’s unlikely.
The real question is: How far away are the Knicks from a ‘good’ season?
With Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson already showing quality in the Summer League, there’s optimism for a quick turnaround. Analysts are already saying Robinson could be the steal of the draft – he was projected to be a first-round pick if he played a full year in college. It was expected he would take a few months to get into game-ready condition, but he’s adapted quickly and displayed serious potential.
Knox has been a phenom so far on the offense and looks like he could be the new cornerstone of the franchise alongside Porzingis. Personally, I feel as though this team could be a playoff contender in two years – optimistic, but with the effectiveness of the rookies thus far it’s not impossible. If Scott Perry can retain Porzingis and sign a few solid depth players the team could be in good shape moving forward.
The signing of Mario Hezonja also benefits the offensive side of the ball, especially considering the struggles of Frank Ntilikina. Rumors have also emerged of Kyrie Iriving potentially coming to New York, which would put Frank in a reserve role – his defense could be essential if this were to happen. It’s impossible to know what will happen, but the adoption of a youth agenda from the front-office puts the franchise in a much better position that what Phil Jackson left behind.