The Knicks enter the second half of the season at 23-32 and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. They resume play on Friday night in Brooklyn against the Nets.
Here are three key questions facing the Knicks as the second half starts:
1. Deal or not to deal?
The Knicks would like to do something by Thursday’s trade deadline with point guard their biggest area of need. Athletic, versatile wing player, shooter and draft picks are also on their wish list. But the Knicks may not have much that other teams desire beyond Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Anthony has stated he won’t waive his no-trade clause. So unless he has a change of heart, and the Knicks decide they are willing to move him, Anthony will stay put. Porzingis, a franchise cornerstone, isn’t going anywhere.
2. How’s Anthony physically and mentally?
His left knee issues remain a concern, but Anthony said he will try to push through and play the remaining 27 games. What bothered him most over All-Star Weekend, however, were a recent trade rumor and, barring a very strong finish, the likelihood that the Knicks will miss the playoffs for the third straight year. Anthony went to Puerto Rico to unwind for a couple days, but spending the weekend with other star players, some of whom tried recruiting him, could start making him rethink his commitment to the Knicks.
3. Can Rambis make a push to stick around?
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Kurt Rambis, a close friend of team president Phil Jackson, has a chance to have the interim removed from his title and be the coach next season if he can get the Knicks to play defense, play with more urgency and make a playoff push. The Knicks appeared to be a team that could contend for a playoff spot earlier in the season, but they went into the break on a six-game losing streak and dropping 10 of 11 overall, leading to Derek Fisher’s dismissal.
- Newsday