New York Knicks: There’s only 3 ways the 2017-18 season will go

Embracing the tanking

If the New York Knicks somehow survive the season without disaster it will be a successful season. In that case, the Knicks can then choose how they want to approach the season and the trade deadline. Once they get rid of Carmelo, it will be time to embrace the kind of tanking made famous by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tanking has negative connotations to its name but has proven very useful to the 76ers, among other teams. The Knicks already have young talent and being in the position for a high draft pick next year would be very useful. Furthermore, the assumption is that another first round draft pick will come back in any Carmelo trade.

Fans of the New York Knicks are accustomed to losing and that won’t change this year. The losing, however, will serve a greater purpose. Higher draft picks in both rounds equal more assets and increases the team’s ability to sign high-end free agents. The short-term joy of a few more wins will not make the team better in the long-term.

Completely abandoning a winning mindset isn’t healthy and the 76ers are still battling a losing culture. With that being said, the most valuable asset to the Knicks is a high lottery pick, not more wins. Besides dumpster fires and tanking, there remains one more possible outcome for the Knicks season.