The New York Knicks have had, yet another, disastrous NBA season in 2019-20. Despite the arrival of RJ Barrett in the NBA Draft 2019, the Knicks are still far from a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. Knicks fans are debating whether or not the team can improve in the second half of the season. Fans can read the Bwin review to get the latest bet bonuses and tips before wagering on games.
The Knicks have a win percentage of .280 after 50 games. New York is being overseen by interim coach Mike Miller after David Fitzdale in early December following a god-awful start of four wins after 22 games. Recent reports out of New York is that franchise owner James Dolan doesn’t just want to overhaul the playing and coaching staff, but remove executives and rebuild the entire franchise from the top down.
Feb 3, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Miller calls a play during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dolan is about two decades late on his desire to overhaul the franchise. The Knicks have been in the doldrums since Isiah Thomas was hired as President of Basketball Operations in 2003. Sam Presti is one option the Knicks have in mind to take over as general manager. Presti is only a back-up plan as Dolan has Toronto Raptors’ Masai Ujiri at the top of his general manager list.
More pressing for the Knicks than hiring a new executive team is adding a better playing staff. The team’s GM hunt will have a direct effect on the Knicks at the trade deadline. The Knicks are sellers and not buyers ahead of the trade deadline on Thursday, February 6. Dennis Smith Jr is one player the Knicks are looking at trading before the deadline.
The NBA Draft 2017 No. 9 overall pick, is drawing interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic. The Timberwolves are most likely out of the playoff running in the Western Conference. The Magic could still make the playoffs as they sit eighth in the Eastern Conference. Smith has only been with the Knicks since last season when he arrived from the Dallas Mavericks in the trade for Kristaps Porzingis.
The problem for the Knicks before the trade deadline is the lack of quality in the team. New York doesn’t have players other teams necessarily want before the trade deadline. While that may be the case for the most part, the Knicks should be able to get something for Marcus Morris.
Feb 3, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks forward Marcus Morris Sr. (13) celebrates as referee Eric Dalen signals a three point basket during overtime against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Morris averages 12.1 points and 26.9 minutes per night. The forward can play; however, the Knicks want to move him on to enable a rebuild. The problem with moving Morris, Smith, or any other of the team’s best players after the first half of the season is it continues the cycle of underachieving and patching together a playing squad of so-so players.
If the Knicks want to truly rebuild, they should hang onto both Smith and Morris rather than trade them away. New York needs to cut the fat off with players that shouldn’t be playing in the NBA in 2020. Instead, they will most likely keep those fringe NBA players while letting the better talent get away. It is a reoccurring cycle that doesn’t look likely of ending soon.
