Knicks Update #3 and #4

Goodbye Steve Mills and Marcus Morris, Hello Leon Rose, seven first-round picks, and Moe Harkless! The New York Knicks are continuing their attempts at a complete team rebuilding as the NBA season is coming to a close for them. This starts with the trade of Marcus Morris to the LA Clippers for Moe Harkless. Morris was easily the best players the Knicks had this season, but the future hope of a better overall team and season record was the driving force behind this Morris-Harkless trade. Before the Morris trade, there were plenty of rumors that Frank Ntilikina would be traded for D’Angelo Russell but the Warriors guard was dealt to Minnesota. As the season will only continue to become tougher as the finals come around, the Knicks are going to have a hard time winning games now that Morris has moved on to bigger and better things. Ntilikina has tried to stay positive even with all the drama that has surrounded the Knicks this season saying, “It’s been a lot, a lot going on, a lot of adversity. But adversity helps you grow up and builds character.”

More rumors have come about with the hiring of new Knicks President Leon Rose mainly involving ex-Knicks player Carmelo Anthony. Rose has served as Anthony’s agent since 2009, a relationship that will be ending as Rose steps into his presidency, but will a new relationship arise? Anthony signed to the Portland Trail Blazers last November, but last Thursday he didn’t completely rule out the idea of returning to the Knicks, but also wasn’t eager to say yes it’s a possibility, “The easiest thing to say is, ‘His agent is there, he’s coming back.’ Until I sit down and see the whole plan, I don’t know.” Rose should officially start as the New York Knicks President on March 1st.

During the All-Star break, rookie RJ Barrett was keeping busy with his Rising Stars Performance. Barrett scored 27 points and added six rebounds, five assists and three steals to go with his points. Past teammate Zion Williamson joined Barret on the opposing team meaning a brotherly competition ensued on the court. "So right before that, I shot a 3 in the corner,'' Barrett said. "I don't even know if it was [Zion], but somebody on the court was talking trash and then I missed it. So, when I saw him running, I was like, nah, he's not about to dunk it." Williamson finished the game with 14 points, but Barrett proved his worth as the No. 1 overall pick.

The New York Knicks have officially clenched their 7th straight losing season thanks in part to their current six game losing streak. Thursday night didn’t fare well for the Knickerbockers as they took on the 76ers whose two All-Stars, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, were both sidelined due to injuries. Nonetheless, the Knicks managed to give up 61 points in the first half alone and ended up losing 115-106. The Knicks are on their way to a sixth consecutive campaign of at least 50 losses. NYC fans are still without fail filling up the World’s Most Famous Arena and continue to hold onto the hope of a true team rebuild. Though this season is officially a lost caused, the excitement for next season and the hope of a winning record is just on the horizon.