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New York Knicks: Should Michael Porter Jr. injury change strategy?

By Maxwell Ogden

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 28: McDonald's High School All-American forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) gives interviews to the media during the McDonald's All-American Games Media Day on March 28, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 28: McDonald's High School All-American forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) gives interviews to the media during the McDonald's All-American Games Media Day on March 28, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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GREENBURG, NY – JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
GREENBURG, NY – JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Consensus top-five 2018 NBA Draft prospect Michael Porter Jr. could miss the remainder of the season. What does that mean for the New York Knicks?

The New York Knicks have options that are essentially limited to one of two outcomes. One would be to make a hard push for the playoffs in an attempt to get the young core postseason experience, and perhaps convince Kristaps Porzingis that the new front office is worth believing in.

The other would be to sacrifice winning for the opportunity to select a star-caliber prospect at the 2018 NBA Draft.

Appealing as the latter option may be, the Knicks were thrown an early curveball when it was announced that consensus top-five prospect Michael Porter Jr. could miss the remainder of the 2017-18 college basketball season with a spinal injury.

Every injury is concerning, but anything with the word, “Spinal,” in it adds an entirely new element of fear and danger.

Prior to the injury, Porter was regarded by consensus as one of the top-five prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s garnered comparisons to Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George due to his unique combination of size, athleticism, shooting touch, and defensive potential.

That inevitably sparked conversations that the Knicks could be the perfect fit for Porter, as his two-way contributions would fit perfectly alongside Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina.

With a crop of potential All-NBA players near the top of the 2018 NBA Draft, many fans bought into the belief that the Knicks should tank. The 9-7 start has been encouraging, but many believe that adding another rising star in June would be the best decision.

The question is: Should Michael Porter Jr.’s injury influence whether or not the New York Knicks prioritize the playoffs over the 2018 NBA Draft?

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