New York Knicks: Do Kristaps Porzingis’ fatigue problems highlight possible draft mistake?

Kristaps Porzingis has publicly stated he is physically exhausted, and it’s showing up on the stat sheet. Frank Ntilikina is nice, but he can’t take the pressure off Porzingis like Dennis Smith Jr. could’ve.

The New York Knicks are beginning to tear apart at the seams. Not only have they lost six of their last eight games, but now their superstar player, Kristaps Porzingis, is expressing a level of exhaustion, which has become noticeable due to his decline in production.

After averaging close to 30 points per game early in the season, both his scoring and shooting percentages have declined with each month. This issue on face value is not what should bother Knicks fans.

In the future, Porzingis will hopefully build up his body to a point where he won’t get exhausted so easily.

Rather, the reason Knicks fans should be upset with this statement is why it’s being made in the first place. Porzingis is tired because he has very little help when it comes to sharing the offensive burden.

There are only two other players on this Knicks roster even remotely capable of creating their own shot. Tim Hardaway Jr. has improved tremendously since his first stint in New York, but he’s best in transition and hasn’t played since November.

Michael Beasley has been a surprise for Knicks fan to watch, but he’s best in spurts. Everyone else on the team is best when they’re feeding off others.

Guys like Courtney Lee, Enes Kanter, and Doug McDermott can’t produce open shots for themselves—and certainly not for others—on a consistent basis.

These roster flaws make one think back to this past summer’s draft, when the Knicks selected Frank Ntilikina, while Dennis Smith Jr. was still on the board.

For as well as Ntilikina has progressed, Smith could’ve helped alleviate some of Porzingis’s fatigue problems.

While Ntilikina has shown skills both as a passer and a defender, he’s also had issues with his aggressiveness. He’s been very hesitant to look for his own shot, even when it’s right in front of him.

Smith, on the other hand, has had no such problems.

As an explosive athlete who loves to run the pick and roll, Smith is always looking for his shot. On the season, he’s averaging 13.8 points on 13.7 shots per game for the Dallas Mavericks. Not the most efficient player, but as a rookie, it’s great to see a level of aggression and confidence from a 20-year-old.

Smith would’ve been a great Robin to KP’s Batman, capable of getting Porzingis easier looks while also having some of the offense ran through him.

This is not meant to be a scathing inditement on Frank Ntilikina. He could end up becoming a great player.

But Porzingis’ fatigue issues highlight a glaring flaw in this Knicks roster, and it’s one that Ntilikina can’t yet fix.

Hopefully, the Knicks front office can surround Porzingis with players capable of easing the burden.

But for now, New York Knicks fans can only look to Dallas and wonder what could’ve been.