New York Knicks: 4 Lessons from the Miami Heat rebuild
By Allen Settle
Step #4: Recalibrate expectations
This is key to acquiring a star. If your goal is to jump directly to the NBA Finals, your only chance is to land a LeBron-typed player. If your goal is to start by making the postseason, a lower-tier star becomes much more appealing.
The Knicks have missed the playoffs every season since 2012-2013. Their target right now needs to be crossing that threshold. Start by landing a lower seed. Then progress by working toward home court advantage in the early rounds.
For the record, the Miami Heat were never predicted to make the Finals in 2020. If hooked up to a lie detector, I’d have no doubt Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra would tell you as much. The blueprint was to develop young stars, win consistently, and prove that players like Giannis would be well suited to join Miami. The team got hot at the right time during an unprecedentedly crazy season. But they were clearly ahead of schedule and expectations.
Next. 3 trade up targets in the draft. dark
If the Knicks can follow these steps, and there is no reason why they cannot, their ceiling will be as a consistent postseason team in the Eastern Conference. Considering the recent state of the franchise, I’d take this deal in a heartbeat. It would also give them legitimate chance, whether by developing a difference-making rookie or adding a second star, of getting back to the level we all expect for a franchise in New York City.