The Unfortunate State of the Knicks

It’s like watching the Titanic sink in slow motion

Every Knicks fan’s mood for all of eternity

The Knicks are a mess. You know this. I know this. All New Yorkers know this. Even people in Latvia know this. There’s no doubt about it. They are a disaster of a basketball organization and have created a dark hole for basically any player that has been with the team. They have alienated players of multiple generations, from loved former player Charles Oakley to believed savior Carmelo Anthony, to hoops unicorn Kristaps Porzingis.

I’m still trying to understand why this happened

There was a small window this off-season after firing Phil Jackson where I thought that maybe they’ll be semi-reasonable, hire an experienced front office executive, figure out the Melo-drama, and not place a stranglehold on the team going forward. They did exactly zero of those things. Here are some of the ways they screwed up the summer:

1. They had a chance to hire former Cavaliers GM David Griffin, but after a refusal from Steve Mills to cede decision-making power to him, struck out on that front.
2. They could’ve decided once and for all whether they would keep Anthony or trade him to a team of his choosing and take whatever they can get in return. They’re still floundering on that. It turns out killing your team’s best players trade stock is a bad idea (who knew? Oh everyone?).
3. They could’ve decided to keep cap room available, as open salary room has become an asset in the NBA. Nope. They said "let’s over pay Tim Hardaway Jr. by 30 million in restricted free agency and hope for the best!" The Hawks management must’ve seen that $71 million dollar offer sheet one morning and simultaneously spit their cereal out of their mouthes.
4. When compounded with the lousy Courtney Lee deal (37 million over 3 years remain), and the dumpster-fire that is Joakim Noah’s contract (3 years remaining for $56 million), and the $8.9 million contract they gave Ron Baker (?!?!), the team has no financial flexibility going forward for the next three years. Capped out with no room to add free agents, internal development will be their only path to improving.
5. KP will be looking for a max deal in a couple of years, and should get it (rightfully) if he wants it, but where will the team be by then? Would he accept the qualifying offer to try and get away as fast as he can?

DOLANNNNNNNNNNN

As a native New Yorker and lifelong fan, its hard to be hopeful for the future of the organization. Melo can’t wait to get out of here. Another supposed savior in Kyrie Irving is not coming. Until the team realizes they need to build through the draft, and then go out to get complimentary pieces in free agency (hey maybe the Warriors did something worth taking a look at?), I’m going to go devote my energy elsewhere. Under the ownership of Jim Dolan, and the Garden consistently selling out to rich diehards/corporate accounts/tourists, there’s no incentive for the team to change their course of action. They will continue to be on the treadmill of mediocrity until they make far-reaching changes to their organizational strategy in team-building. For now, we shall wait. Maybe the Knicks will be more competitive in the 2020’s. I’m not holding my breath.