Merry Christmas everyone! Knicks fans have had a rough year once again. From Kristaps Porzingis' injury, to yet another coaching change and failing to move up in the draft, Knicks fans have a right to be greedy at Christmas time this year. Here are some things (in order of priority) that Knicks fans would love to have left under their tree on Christmas. They are gifts that the team really has no control of.
A Healthy Kristaps Porzingis
For anything the Knicks are planning to matter, Kristaps Porzingis has to be healthy and resemble the All-Star caliber player he was before tearing his ACL last year. The Knicks announced last week that Porzingis would be re-evaluated in mid-February, but they would not offer any timetable for his return. Perhaps a little magic from Santa Claus on KP's knee can help bring him back better than ever.
A healthy Porzingis is vital for a couple of different reasons. It starts with the max contract he might receive at some point this summer. If he never recovers or is a shell of his former self that contract will be an albatross on the Knicks' payroll for nearly half a decade. That could possibly trap the Knicks in mediocrity, or worse. For the Knicks to be able to become a team that is truly competiting for a title, or even simply competing to win a playoff round, Porzingis needs to be a centerpiece of the program.
A healthy Porzingis will also help attract a potential star free agent in the offseason. He is a foundational piece already in place that a veteran can look at realistically and say "I can win a lot of games playing with that guy." The Knicks could be a truly attractive piece to a max-level free agent if Porzingis can get back on the court in the final month of the year and show he is himself, while the team still get one of the top two picks in the draft.
The Top Pick In The 2019 NBA Draft
The Knicks can control, to some extent (if Santa can help the Bulls, Suns, Hawks and Cavs win some game that would be great too), how many ping pong balls get put into the NBA lottery machine, but they can't control how they come out. The Knicks have been left nothing but coal in the stocking when it comes to lottery night since 1985, the last time they moved up in the draft and selected Patrick Ewing. It is time for Santa to show up and get the Grinch out of town to get the Knicks the top pick of the draft
It is still very early in the process, but Zion Williamson has emerged as the consensus top pick in the NBA Draft this year. There is still time for his teammate RJ Barrett or someone else to overtake him, but he stands alone for the time being with his freakish athleticism for his size. Cameron Reddish and Nassir Little currently preside at three and four in most draft rankings.
All four players could help the Knicks, but they need the best prospect possible to help Kristaps Porzingis attract a star free agent this season. Even if the Knicks finish with the worst record in the league, a free agent could see a returning Porzingis along with Zion Williamson as a worthwhile duo to join (along with Knox and the other Knicks youngsters) with a chance to win right away.
A Top Free Agent
With Porzingis returning (and his presence likely keeping the Knicks from another top 5 draft pick anytime soon) and his cap-eating extension looming, this is the best (maybe last?) summer for the Knicks to add another premium player to their roster. They can do it in the draft and they can do in free agency.
The Knicks can do everything humanly possible to make themselves as attractive as possible to impending free agents, but a true difference maker is only going to bee someone who wants to play under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden and wants the responsibility of resurrecting the Knicks. Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard are the big fish, and both could be transformative players for the Knicks.
If Santa can make some dreams of New York City dance in Kevin Durant's head instead of sugar plum fairies, the Knicks might just land that big fish. Having other NBA franchises interested in trading for Courtney Lee or Tim Hardaway Jr. to clear extra cap space would help too. It would transform a franchise that has been languishing for 17 seasons and make them an immediate playoff team with hopes for something more.
If all three of those big things happen, the Knicks would be kings of New York once again. Two? It would still be a special couple of months with hope being rekindled for the team. One? The franchise continues to slowly rebuild and remain on a decent track. All Knicks fans hope that for once, Santa is generous to them this year.
Stocking Stuffers
Here are some individual gifts for some Knicks players:
Maybe Santa can instill Frank Ntilikina with some permanent confidence on offense? An improved jump would be an even better gift.
Healthy ankles for you, Big Mitch!
A conscience for Tim Hardaway Jr., so he can recognize a good shot from a bad one.
Enes Kanter could use some defensive ability. This is the equivalent of a normal person asking for a speed boat or something else even Santa's magic wouldn't be able to conjure.
Merry Christmas to all and to all great couple of days off from work!
Follow John Schmeelk on Twitter @Schmeelk and listen to the latest episode of his Knicks podcast "The Bank Shot"
