New York Knicks
I am not sure if the Knicks are still living in their fantasy world from last season where they were the surprise team of the year, claiming the 4-seed in the playoffs, but not making a move at the trade deadline was a huge mistake.
Picking up a win over the Warriors in San Francisco on Thursday night was very impressive, especially given that the Knicks were without R.J. Barrett due to a sprained ankle, but what does this team really have outside of Barrett and Randle?
Kemba Walker has been borderline useless for them at times in the backcourt, Derrick Rose is still a few weeks out from returning to action, and the Knicks have one of the most inconsistent bench units in the entire league.
Not to mention, they have barely played Cam Reddish after giving up a first-round pick to acquire him from the Hawks a few weeks back.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Winners And Losers Of 2022 NBA Trade Deadline Action
Maybe the market just was not there for the Knicks at the trade deadline given that their top targets of CJ McCollum, Caris LeVert De’Aaron Fox and Jerami Grant were all off-limits given their situations and trades, but there really are no excuses that can be made for what has happened in New York this season.
While they are still a decent defensive team, the Knicks have virtually no offense when Julius Randle or R.J. Barrett are not on the floor, they have plenty of needs as a franchise and it really seems like they reached their peak last season.
The Knicks really do not have a No. 1 option on their roster right now compared to some of the top teams in the league and heading into the offseason, they will most likely be picking in the draft lottery once again.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Winners And Losers Of 2022 NBA Trade Deadline Action
Not making a move at the trade deadline was disastrous for the Knicks and now, currently two games back from the 10-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference, it is hard to imagine that this team has the strength they need to make the play-in tournament.
Even if they make the play-in tournament as the 9-seed or 10-seed, it is really hard to see the Knicks winning two games and claiming an actual playoff spot.
