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Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros and cons of tanking after 2018 trade deadline

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 30, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 30, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 30: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 30, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 30: Frank Ntilikina #11 and Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks high five during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 30, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The 2018 NBA trade deadline will provide the New York Knicks with an opportunity to tank for another lottery pick, but should the organization do it?

The New York Knicks have taken fans on an emotional roller coaster unlike any in recent memory. The theme of thriving early and falling apart in January is nothing new to Knicks fans, but there’s a rare element that has complicated the 2017-18 NBA regular season.

With a young and promising core of players that’s complemented by a cast of grizzled veterans, the Knicks are toeing the thin line between a rebuild and postseason contention.

In previous seasons, the Knicks were an older team without draft picks to tank for or younger players to develop. Even when Kristaps Porzingis was added to the roster, New York had to be mindful of Carmelo Anthony and his closing championship window.

In this scenario, however, the Knicks are building around a 22-year-old Porzingis, a 25-year-old Tim Hardaway Jr., and a 19-year-old Frank Ntilikina.

Despite the change in roster structure, Porzingis would prefer to see the Knicks utilize the 2018 NBA trade deadline to make a push for the postseason. It’s an understandable stance from a player who has been surrounded by veterans with playoff experience throughout his NBA career.

The question is: What would the pros and cons be if the New York Knicks were to do the opposite and tank for better draft position following the 2018 NBA trade deadline?

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