Just when you thought the New York Knicks hit an all-time low, they surprise you by hitting newer lows. They lost to the Brooklyn Nets, the worst team in the NBA, twice in the last week. This forces attention to the one thing they should focus on: Knicks 2017.
Once again, Knicks’ fans are looking towards next season. This 2016 season was another year that will end with no playoff games. Therefore, it is time to look towards the future and see how this team can rebuild itself.
Trade Carmelo Anthony
It is time to move on from Carmelo Anthony. He has given the Knicks good years, but there has not been a good playoff run while he’s been here. Knicks fans always soured when he put up contested shot after contested shot instead of passing to the open man. He’s been a great offensive player for this team, but his defense has been very inconsistent night-in and night-out.
It is time for this team to have a true rebuild. That can only happen by trading Anthony and making Kristaps Porzingis the priority. It has to be Porzingis’ team going forward. And because of this franchise’s dysfunction, they have lowered Anthony’s trade value themselves. However, they need to bite the bullet and trade him in the offseason for the best deal they can get.
Sign Jrue Holiday
This move is a lot easier said than done, but the Knicks should make Jrue Holiday their number one priority. It is well documented how much the Knicks have lacked good point guard play over the last decade. Derrick Rose was supposed to be the answer for this year, and if he showed promise, they could’ve signed him to a long-term deal. But the Knicks can go younger and get Holiday for cheaper than Rose. Plus, Holiday’s style of play matches the triangle much better. With Phil Jackson’s inability to detach himself from the triangle, Holiday makes most sense for this team.
Tank for Jayson Tatum
This year, the Knicks have their first-round pick, which is a rarity for a franchise notorious for trading their first-round picks. Therefore, it is very beneficial to tank the season to get a high draft pick. And with that pick, they should draft Jayson Tatum. He has a body of a pro-ball player. He is a versatile forward that will excel in today’s NBA style-of-play. And by pairing him up with Porzingis, the Knicks will have a rare combo of two big men that play like guards. This tandem will be a nightmare for defenses to guard.
This franchise needs to realize that by changing rosters every single year does not work. It is time for a true rebuild. Get rid of the veterans. Get younger and allow the younger players to showcase their talents. And to build a young core around Holiday, Porzingis, and Tatum. This will make the Knicks a young team that will fight night-in and night-out. For once, the Knicks can be exciting again with a glimmer of hope in a young core that has a chance to succeed for years.
Main Photo
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – DECEMBER 7: Carmelo Anthony of New York Knicks in action against Portland Trail Blazers during an NBA game at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2014 in New York, United States.
(Photo by Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
