New York Knicks: A terrific representation of the 2018-19 season

The New York Knicks were blown out by the Detroit Pistons in their final game of the 2018-19 season, 115-89.

Well, after nearly six months and 82 games played, the New York Knicks 2018-19 season is over. Those words could not have arrived soon enough, especially with the performance of Wednesday’s finale against a Detroit Pistons team that had everything to play for.

Sure, the Knicks had nothing to play for, but they seemed ready to hit the showers and take a trip to the Caribbean from tip-off, when the Pistons opened on a 14-6 run. There was no doubt afterward, and New York steadily crashed into the Madison Square Garden floor with each basket from this Blake Griffin-less team.

By the fourth quarter, it was a 30-plus point game and never sat within each. Sorry, Charlotte Hornets, who needed a Pistons loss to propel their postseason chances on the 2018-19 campaign’s final night.

So, what now?

It’s time for the anticipated offseason to finally begin — sort of. Nothing can happen until the NBA Finals end in June, at least for acquiring new players, and that is still two months away.

However, the draft lottery will arrive on Tuesday, May 14. The Knicks will own 14 percent odds to land the first overall pick, and Duke’s Zion Williamson is the obvious target. They can land as low as fifth overall, but that will be a disappointment, based on the events of this season.

There is an 86 percent chance of not picking first. So at least try to temper expectations, because the Knicks are more likely to land one of Ja Morant, RJ Barrett, Jarrett Culver or De’Andre Hunter than the perceived top player of the 2019 class.

Free agency follows this on July 1. The Knicks will have about $70 million in cap space to work with, but some of it may be trimmed by Allonzo Trier‘s team option and if players like Emmanuel Mudiay and Noah Vonleh are retained.

Either way, could the next Knicks game feature Kevin Durant? Kyrie Irving? How about both?

• As head coach David Fizdale balanced the rotation, John Jenkins led the way with 16 points in 27 minutes.
• Mitchell Robinson failed to record a block.
• Kadeem Allen, making a case to stay, had 13 points and eight assists.
• Two-way player Isaiah Hicks had 11 points off the bench.
• Kevin Knox ended his year on a sour note with just nine points on 3-for-12 shooting.

It was a difficult run for the Knicks from start to finish. Expectations were never high, and some bright moments existed in October, but this team cratered quickly. That led to an 18-game losing streak, a tease of an historic franchise record for the wrong reasons, some fun moments from Robinson and troubling signs from Frank Ntilikina.

The cherry on top was the shocking Kristaps Porzingis trade in January. He never suited up due to rehab from a torn ACL, but discontent with the organization’s direction led to this pre-trade deadline move, which opened cap space and brought back draft picks and Dennis Smith Jr.

Now, an interesting draft and free agent period are ahead, and there are no more games to watch for. Enjoy the offseason, New York Knicks fans, because big things could lie ahead.