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New York Knicks: Five Reasons For Optimism Following 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates with Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates with Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Top 10 Draft Pick

Play out the scenario in which the New York Knicks make the playoffs in 2016-17. Carmelo Anthony turns 33 years of age some time around the NBA Finals, Derrick Rose prepares for free agency, and Courtney Lee turns 32 before the beginning of the 2017-18 season.

As nice as it would have been for New York to end the postseason drought in 2016-17, they’re better off in the long-term having failed to do so.

New York could have made the playoffs and enabled Willy Hernangomez and Kristaps Porzingis to receive postseason experience. That would have been wonderful to see, but it also would have presented a long-term issue that could curtail the future title hopes in their entirety.

Had the Knicks failed to secure a Top 10 draft pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, they would have created disastrously different timelines.

With Top 10 lottery odds, the Knicks can draft a perimeter star who’s similar in age to Porzingis and Hernangomez. That would enable New York to develop three young core pieces along the same timeline and thus build a sustainable future.

Had New York made the playoffs, it would have fallen out of the draft lottery and missed out on an opportunity to take advantage of a historically deep draft class.

Must Read: Don't blame the triangle, blame the defense

The 2016-17 NBA regular season may have been disappointing on the surface, but it will enable the New York Knicks to build a better future.

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