Another draft lottery, another blow to the body of the snake-bitten New York Knicks. The ‘Bockers, who haven’t made it to the lottery since 1985, have moved up from sixth to eighth.
Even in a seemingly low draft year, it’s a disaster. The Knicks need young talent in the worst way. Mitchell Robinson and RJ Barrett seem like long-term custodians, but is anyone else on the roster wearing that label? Frank Ntilikina has no offensive identity. Kevin Knox II has some NBA tools but maybe he doesn’t have NBA skills. Dennis Smith Jr. failed to lock a rotation spot on an abysmal team with major point guard problems.
So, yes, losing LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards is a big deal. Falling to number 8 could even cost them a hit against second tier targets Obi Toppin, Tyrese Haliburton, Killian Hayes, or Isaac Okoro.
It is a lost opportunity all around, but it has no bearing on this projection. The Knicks could have won the lottery and still wouldn’t have sniffed out next year’s playoffs. As open as the East Playoff semi back end may be, the Knicks – who have had more defeats than anyone in the past six seasons – are nowhere near a post-season anchor.