New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis wants front office to push for postseason

If Kristaps Porzingis has it his way, the New York Knicks will make a push for the postseason by acquiring talent at the 2018 NBA trade deadline.

Kristaps Porzingis has never shied away from his desire to experience postseason basketball in 2017-18. While many have resigned to the belief that the New York Knicks would be better off acquiring another lottery pick, Porzingis’ mentality is playoffs or bust.

With the 2018 NBA trade deadline on the horizon, Porzingis is doubling down on his commitment to that vision by encouraging the organization to get him help.

Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. have emerged as a dynamic duo in 2017-18. Instability has been a theme beyond Porzingis and Hardaway, however, as a vast majority of the other players on the roster have either come up in trade rumors or struggled to secure a consistent role.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Porzingis pulled no punches when he stated that he wants the Knicks to trade for players who would facilitate a push for the postseason.

"“I think they know I want to be in the playoffs and that’s the only thing on my mind. I’m not going to go in there and be like no, we’re tanking. There’s no reason to play,” Porzingis said with a laugh. “[Making the playoffs is] only thing I’m focused on. What I need to do on the court to play better, make my team win.”"

When asked if he understands the line of thinking behind tanking, Porzingis gave the only answer that a competitive athlete could be expected to give.

"“I don’t think it’s healthy for any player to have that in their minds,” he said. “Whatever happens, you give your all on the court and if it doesn’t work out and you can’t win games then something else good might happen and you have that. But as a player your mindset has to be going out and giving 110 percent and live with the results.”"

Only time will tell if the Knicks are more committed to making the playoffs than adding cost-controlled talent, but it’s clear which approach Porzingis would prefer.

Whether or not you believe making the playoffs would be the best possible outcome for the Knicks, Porzingis refusing to intentionally lose is nothing to be upset about. Any player who accepts a losing mentality endangers their future as a winning player.

Thus, Porzingis expressing a desire for the front office to make a move that would facilitate a push for the postseason is none too surprising.

On a team that’s flush with veterans who have experienced postseason basketball, it must be more challenging than ever for Porzingis to look at anything but the playoffs as the primary goal.

To play Devil’s Advocate, however, Porzingis and the Knicks are in a division that’s in the midst of an arms race. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have loaded up on young talent with All-Star potential, and in Boston’s case, the postseason is already a virtual guarantee.

Thus, it stands to reason that it would behoove the Knicks to continue adding players with short-term value, long-term potential, and cost-controlled contracts via the lottery of the NBA Draft.

To ask a player to give up on their dream of reaching and playing in the playoffs, however, simply isn’t realistic—nor is it healthy.

Must Read: Pros and cons of trading for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

If the New York Knicks trade for the future, appeasing Kristaps Porzingis in the long-term may require upsetting him in the short-term.