New York Knicks: 4 goals following 2019 NBA All-Star break
3. Don’t set the record for least wins in a season
Based on everything stated earlier, it’s clear that losing isn’t a bad thing for the Knicks right now. The more losses they have, the better chance they have to remain in the top-four of the NBA Lottery. However, if they want to show free agents things are truly changing and this is an organization they want to play for, they need to win some games.
Right now, New York is tied for the fewest wins in the league with 11. They are three games clear of the Chicago Bulls, who have the fourth-worst record in the league, which means they have some breathing room if they win a few games. Remember, staying in the bottom three is the goal given the new lottery rules.
New York has had five losing streaks of at least five games this season. They snapped a franchise record 18-game losing streak prior to the break, defeating the Atlanta Hawks. That broke the 17-game losing streak that was endured during the 2014-15 season, the first with Derek Fisher, when the team set the franchise record for fewest wins in a season with 17.
Not breaking another dubious record would be nice. Winning some games could lessen their chances of winning the lottery, but it could also improve their chances of landing free agents.
Going 6-14 the remainder of the season is actually worse than ESPN’s BPI projects for the Knicks, so even if they avoid resetting the least wins in a season record, they still aren’t living up to expectations the remainder of the season. BPI also has the Phoenix Suns and Bulls finishing with 18 wins along with the Knicks.