New York Knicks: Is it tanking season? Or can 2017-18 be salvaged?

The New York Knicks appear to be hitting their annual January skid. Is it time for tanking season? Or can the Knicks turn the season around?

What a grueling week for the New York Knicks. After two very tough losses, one in double overtime to the Chicago Bulls, and another L distributed by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Knicks fans were hoping that DeMarcus Cousins and the Pelicans would forget how to play basketball.

If only for a possession, it appeared as though they had.

Despite this middle school-esque play, the Pelicans made my Sunday afternoon very upsetting when they came back from down 14 in the fourth quarter to beat the Knicks in overtime.

If we gave out report card grades for the week, it would go:

The Conundrum

Right now, the 20-24 Knicks have the 18th worst record, which would give them the 12th-best lottery odds in the 2018 NBA Draft. NBADraft.net is projecting the Knicks to select Bruno Fernando.

There isn’t a New York level of hype surrounding Fernando, but he’s a 6’10” big man who can redirect shots and finish inside. The problem is: I don’t want Fernando. Moreover: I don’t want the No. 12 pick.

I want the Knicks to maximize the value of this draft, which I think is going to be one to remember. There are potentially six cornerstone players in this draft class: Michael Porter Jr., Luka Doncic, Mohamed Bamba, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, and Deandre Ayton.

Off the bat, I’m going to say that Bagley is probably not the best fit on the Knicks. He rebounds well, which I count as a more defensive skill, but besides that is pretty soft on the defensive end. Him and Porzingis would have trouble with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

With the remaining five, I would power rank them like this:

5. Mohamed Bamba

Bamba was a viral legend before coming to Texas. He’s measured as the longest player in recent basketball history with a 7’9″ wingspan. He and Porzingis would block every shot inside half court. Bamba would make the Knicks the best rim protecting team in the league.

That’s intriguing since they’re already in the discussion.

Bamba and Porzingis would be an amazing pair, but I think it would be the height of risk for the Knicks to take on a project. Bamba has huge upside, but still has a pretty slim offensive skill set.

Rarely does the offense run through Bamba, and when he does get touches, it’s mostly in catch and shoot situations

4. Michael Porter Jr.

This is the home run pick that seems to be the most realistic for the New York Knicks. For those of you living under your respective rocks, I just got mine cleaned. Michel Porter Jr. herniated two discs in his back.

This is definitely something that teams are going to take into consideration.

If the Knicks are in between the picks of No. 8 and No. 11, and Porter is somehow still on the board, I’m going to be screaming at my TV in hopes of the Knicks taking this guy. He was the best player coming into the 2017-18 college basketball season.

Porter has been compared to Joe Johnson, who strictly gets buckets—something the Knicks, like every team, need help with.

3. Luka Doncic

Playing in the pros already, Luka Doncic is the most NBA-ready prospect in this class. The Knicks need players who can play now. He’s making waves in La Liga ACB in Spain, which is widely regarded as the most competitive league outside of the United States.

One huge aspect of this pick that I love is that he’s European, and has played against Kristaps Porzingis in the past. The Knicks are thriving with their overseas players (Porzingis, Kanter, Ntilikina). Having another European player—some say the best prospect ever—might bring the team together.

2. DeAndre Ayton

The argument for Ayton is that he’s an absolute freak of nature, and I think he’s going to be the best player in the class. Coaches are struggling to gameplan for this guy, solely because of his footprint on each game.

He’s the biggest and strongest player on the court at all times. NBADraft.net says he doesn’t have any major weaknesses.

I feel bad for whoever doesn’t draft Ayton, as they will have to deal with him for the next 15-plus years.

1. Trae Young

For lack of a better word, this guy is a video game. He leads the country in scoring by a ridiculous margin, with 30.1 points per game—4.3 more than the next closest player. On top of that, he leads the country in assists.

Young has turned Oklahoma basketball into must-see TV.

I chose Young at the top spot because he fits the needs of the Knicks the most. Currently dead last in volume in the NBA, the Knicks need to address their three-point shooting woes this offseason.

Young can make shots from the parking lot, so you can see where the fit is. The Knicks have a defensive-minded point guard already in Ntilikina, but Young is a force on the offensive end.

The Knicks are in a very weird position right now. They’re 3.0 games out of a playoff spot in an Eastern Conference that hasn’t looked this good in quite some time.

Over their next five games, they play Brooklyn, Utah, Los Angeles (Lakers), Golden State, and Denver.

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Besides Golden State, the other teams have combined for a 61-107 record. If the New York Knicks, go below .500 in the next five games, I’m calling to cancel the season and shoot for one of these guys.