New York Knicks: Eight predictions for the 2018-19 season

3. Kristaps Porzingis returns before the All-Star break

As of media day, Kristaps Porzingis’ return timetable from a torn ACL remains in question. He does not know when it could happen, or even if missing the entire 2018-19 season is a possibility. The situation can change, however, and lead to a surprise result: a pre-All-Star break comeback.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Porzingis could return around Christmas, when the Knicks play the Milwaukee Bucks. Whether it’s a specific date or a general timespan, it opens a midseason avenue.

From Christmas to early February, it marks 10-plus months and a full year since the injury, respectively. It’s an extensive but required period to return to full strength, with Porzingis’ value to New York’s future. There’s no reason to rush the process, but what if everything progresses faster?

The Knicks can obviously use Porzingis towards a potential playoff push, or even to showcase for outside free agents in 2019. So, if he’s healthy enough to return, it benefits the team from multiple directions.

That’s only speculation as until New York officially announces the 2018 All-Star’s return, everything sits up in question, especially given his comments on the situation at media day. There’s no clear-cut indication on when the team will have him back, but at nearly one year after the injury, will it be the breakthrough moment fans desire?