For the New York Knicks, 2018-19 will be a year focused on developing young talent and building for the future, which will come as a familiar refrain for Knicks fans. This time feels different, however; after the ousting of president Phil Jackson and franchise star Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks have abandoned their wildly optimistic and misguided “win now” mentality. Since arriving in July 2017, GM Scott Perry has focused on development of young talent and maximizing draft picks, while building around franchise cornerstone Kristaps Porzingis.
New York played about .500 ball last season, until Porzingis’ Feb. 6 ACL tear ended his (and the Knicks’) season.