New York Knicks: Five burning questions for the 2018-19 season

4 of 5

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks is helped off the court after suffering a season ending injury to his knee during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden on February 6, 2018 in New York City. The Bucks defeated the Knicks 103-89. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

2. Will Kristaps Porzingis return?

Kristaps Porzingis, even while injured, sits at the top of the New York Knicks roster. Unfortunately for this group, they might not see their best player for most of 2018-19, potentially all of it.

The torn ACL will keep Porzingis out to start the season, with no timetable set for his return. That’s despite a reported Christmas timeline, but the team has not provided anything official.

If the Knicks have Porzingis back during the holiday season or by midseason, it’s terrific for the team’s vibe and allows them to refind the positive footing, pre-injury. Easier said than done, but they can use a 22-point scorer that offers mismatch nightmares for the opposition.

Of course there’s the chance the Latvian forward never plays a regular season game. With a contract extension potentially on the way in the summer, and 2018-19 as a rebuilding campaign, is there reason to risk this superstar’s health for so little?

The Knicks can welcome back Porzingis on their 2019-20 roster, with a new superstar or two around, and move from there, rather than play him with nothing on the line.

Porzingis might feel ready by December, and that’s enough time to not coddle his recovery and allow for in-game action. If it’s any later than this, as the All-Star break approaches, what decision will the Knicks make?

Home/Knicks News