New York Knicks: Realistic goals for Kristaps Porzingis in 2018-19

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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 31: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks and Marcus Morris #13 of the Boston Celtics look on during the game on January 31, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Contribute to a playoff run

Kevin Knox said 35 wins can put the New York Knicks into playoff contention. Without LeBron James in the Eastern Conference and questions for all teams beyond the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors, the team from the Big Apple may stand a chance at this.

However, for any hope towards a postseason run, the Knicks will need something from Kristaps Porzingis. Again, it’s much to ask, but if this roster struggles without him for the first two-to-four months of the season, will it increase pressure?

When Porzingis was healthy, the Knicks sat nine games below .500. After the injury, they struggled to win games and went from No. 8-seed contender to a clear-cut out from the mix.

If Porzingis pushes this team into playoff contention again, it’s an easy success for the Knicks. How much production they receive from him, of course, remains to be seen, but he was the team’s best player by a wide margin. Even if that margin trims down, it’s still reasonable to expect him to perform like their centerpiece.

Clinching a playoff spot would go one step further, but that’s six months away from consideration. If the Knicks make it with Porzingis, though, can they muster any noise in the first round?

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