I hate the interview question, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” No one ever answers it honestly in that setting.
“Great question. I see myself resenting everyone here for the smallest things while I search through Indeed for literally anything else to do. I see myself avoiding Cheryl in Marketing because we awkwardly hooked up one time four-and-a-half years earlier. I see my drinking decreasing, but my gambling increasing exponentially.”
It is however an important question for self-reflection, and it is exactly the question that Leon Rose and the Knicks should be asking themselves as the trade deadline approaches.
There is a lot of excitement right now with the Knicks hovering around playoff contention. They are ahead of even the most optimistic Knicks fan’s schedule.
With that excitement comes the desire to push some or all of the assets onto the table for pieces that will hopefully put in a stronger playoff position.
Knicks: Trade Deadline Approach
There are some interesting names being mentioned as possible targets for the Knicks. Names like Lonzo Ball, Zach Lavine, and JJ Redick, and Victor Oladipo have all been mentioned as players that the Knicks are monitoring. The Knicks have already pulled off a trade for Derrick Rose.
Here’s the important thing Leon Rose and the Knicks must keep in mind: Whatever moves the team make now should not disrupt the long-term goals.
For the first time in a long time, it feels like things are moving in a positive direction. Just look at how the Clippers talked about the Knicks after their recent game. The foundation is being built. The culture is shifting. They are building the right way. All the cliched phrases are true!
The playoffs are not even necessary at this point, which is why the Knicks should only be buyers if what they are buying helps them long-term. This team could also seemingly make the playoffs without any additional roster moves.
There’s a blizzard atop the Eastern Conference. The Knicks do not need to load up on surf and turf right now. They should only be buying non-perishables, so that when the snow thaws (i.e. contracts expire, players become unhappy) at the peak of the conference, the Knicks are poised to make a move into contention.
If the Knicks see Ball or Lavine as long-term pieces, then they should make those moves. If Rose feels the team could still get talent later in the draft, then add Redick to make a playoff push.
Leon Rose should ask himself where he wants this franchise to be in five years and only make moves that push toward those goals.