New York Knicks: Pros and cons of making a push for the postseason

Con: Worsening Draft Positioning

The New York Knicks have a chance to create a sustainable formula for success with a young core that can grow together over time. That’s an approach that worked wonders for the Golden State Warriors, which built its core through the NBA Draft and added complementary pieces via trades and free agency.

One could argue that Kristaps Porzingis, Frank Ntilikina, and Tim Hardaway Jr. form that core, but if you aren’t of that belief, then having another lottery pick could be of unrivaled importance.

The 2018 NBA Draft is flush with dynamic and versatile talent. Between perimeter standouts such as Luka Doncic, Michael Porter Jr., and Trae Young, and interior forces such as Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Mohamed Bamba, and Jaren Jackson Jr., a franchise cornerstone could be found.

If the Knicks were to execute a trade that would enable it to make a push for the postseason, however, the opportunity to select a prospect of that caliber would decrease.

It must be noted that a top-five draft pick isn’t required to find a star-caliber player or prospect. In saying that, New York has a chance to pair 22-year-old All-Star Kristaps Porzingis with a second player who could be a future All-NBA mainstay.

In a division that will feature the likes of Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, and Jayson Tatum for the next decade-plus, young talent is the key to winning this arms race.