Knicks fans should not be too disappointed with their pick.
Knicks fans set themselves up heartbreak by acting as if the number one pick was practically theirs.
I mean I can’t blame them. For years the Knicks have looked as they were forever trapped in purgatory, they were stuck. After that 2013 second rounder exit, Knicks fans have been suffering.
Finally, something to bring the fans joy. The Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis gave the Knicks fans hope, a possible escape from that hell.
In 2016, Knicks fans flocked to stores to buy themselves their very own Kristaps jersey. In only his second year, Kristaps Porzingis finished seventh in jersey sales.
But come trade deadline this year all of this Kristaps love would soon come to an end just as quick as it began.
They traded Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas for WHO? The Knicks gave up the face of their franchise for Dennis Smith Jr, DeAndre Jordan, and Wesley Matthews alongside two future first round picks.
While some fans began to get out their lighters ready to set his jersey to flames, some fans dove deeper. This trade wasn’t about DeAndre Jordan or Dennis Smith, it was about cap space. The idea of cap space in an offseason with players such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving brought hope back into the hearts of Knicks fans.
It did not just stop here though. There was another avenue for hope, Zion.
Media throughout the whole season spent hours and hours talking about the Knicks getting the number one pick. Zion was dubbed the savior of the Knicks before they even finished the season.
Fast forward to the NBA lottery. There are four teams left in contention for the first pick the Grizzlies, Knicks, Pelicans, and Lakers.
All three teams besides the Knicks were not supposed to be there. The media did not train fans for this. It was supposed to be what if Zion where to go the Knicks, what if Zion where to go to Suns or even the Cavaliers. The league announces the Lakers will receive the fourth pick in the draft and Knicks fans across the world let out a sigh of relief.
But after this Knicks fans were about to experience heartbreak like never before. The Knicks received the third pick in the draft. Zion was officially of the table for the Knicks. No longer could people look to Zion as a future beacon of Knicks greatness. Zion is not going to make the Knicks a must-see show.
Despite all this, the future still looks bright for the New York Knicks. As of now, the Knicks drafting RJ Barrett already looks like a done deal. Although RJ is no Zion, and we certainly saw that at Duke, he still projects to be an all-star type of player. RJ Barrett can score at all three levels while being an exceptional playmaker at the same time.
Along with RJ, the Knicks have had their name connected to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant all season and Knicks fans know it. All through the possibility of getting both superstars is certainly exciting, let's not get too ahead of ourselves like fans did with Zion.
With so many rumors involving Kyrie and Durant to the Knicks, it would be an absolute travesty for the fans and organization if they are not able to secure at least one of the two superstars in July. But with the chance of RJ Barrett teaming up alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Knicks future looks the brightest it has in a long time.