After some talk that the New York Knicks could end up trading the third overall selection in the NBA Draft on Thursday night, there were no shenanigans. The Knicks ended up doing the safe thing by taking Duke's RJ Barrett, and they are now gearing up for a potentially franchise-altering summer.
The problem is, things aren't going according to plan for the Knicks.
New York had originally been dreaming of signing both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this offseason, but with Durant tearing his Achilles in the NBA Finals and Irving apparently having his sights set on the Brooklyn Nets, the Knicks may have to change their path.
Regardless, here are three bold predictions for New York after the draft.
3. The Knicks will be smart for a change
Given that this is the Knicks we are talking about, saying that they are going to operate intelligently is a pretty bold prediction.
This is a franchise that has been in the dumpster for the better part of 20 years for a plethora of reasons. They have drafted poorly, made crippling free-agent signings and executed horrific trades that have stripped them of picks and have piled on even more unwanted salary.
But now, New York actually has some cap space, and fans seem to understand that this rebuilding phase may end up being a long process if the franchise can't land a star this summer.
I think this is one time the Knicks won't cave into desperation and make a signing just to appease the fans and put some rear ends in the seats. It seems like New York is genuinely trying to build a legitimately good team moving forward.
2. They'll sign some guys to one-year deals
Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers signed a bunch of players to one-year contracts (other than LeBron James) in order to maintain flexibility for the future, and it paid off, as they traded for Anthony Davis last week.
The Knicks may follow that same route.
With Irving looking more unlikely and Durant being out all of next season regardless of whether or not New York signs him, it may just sign some guys to one-year deals as place-fillers.
And once in a while, you can strike gold doing that.
Not only would the Knicks be keeping themselves financially secure, but they may end up having some trade bait for the February deadline to pick up some more assets if the potential veterans they sign play well.
1. They won't land any superstars
Let's face it: the Durant injury really threw a major crimp into the Knicks' plans, and now, they must adjust accordingly.
Not only does Durant's torn Achilles make it more likely that he re-signs with the Golden State Warriors, but it also makes signing a much riskier prospect for the Knicks, as the chances of Durant ever regaining his form seem rather slim given the track record of players with that injury.
And with Irving seeming dead set on Brooklyn, the Knicks might be left out in the cold. Of course, there are other possibilities, such as Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler and Nikola Vucevic, but we haven't heard any chatter about New York's interest in those players, and Walker actually seems very open to returning to Charlotte.
As far as other B-tier free agents such as Tobias Harris, again, I think the Knicks are done just handing out contracts for the sake of it. They are going to wait and build this team the proper way, and if that means striking out in free agency this summer, then so be it.
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