New York Knicks: Five potential effects of not re-signing Kristaps Porzingis

4. Biggest free-agent attraction disappears

That transitions into the aforementioned track of finding a new superstar in free agency if Porzingis leaves for another team. The New York Knicks will have options, however.

Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, Kemba Walker and Kyrie Irving are among the top-tier talents that can hit free agency. Whether the Knicks have a chance at any of them remains to be seen.

If Porzingis stays, there’s an upper-level talent, when healthy, to work with. If he leaves, the Knicks still have young, intriguing players, but do they hold enough appeal?

Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Allonzo Trier, Frank Ntilikina and Damyean Dotson have all flashed upside in their one or two years in the NBA. None of them may become stars, but all could become quality contributors. There’s also whoever the Knicks select with their first round pick.

Unfortunately for the Knicks, none of them are established. That did not matter for the Los Angeles Lakers in July when LeBron James signed, but can lightning strike twice, especially if it’s Durant playing at Madison Square Garden 41 times per year?

For the front office, it’s an interesting test to see how appealing the franchise is without a big name to attract other big names. Manhattan as its allure, but only so much to drive a championship-caliber player to commit long term.