Buckets Over Broadway Roundtable: What’s Next for New York Knicks?

The New York Knicks just suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Washington Wizards. And it was completely their own fault. Through a combination of clock mismanagement, poor communication within timeouts, and lack of overall cohesion, the Knicks fell to 7-17. With very little hope looking forward, we brought in some of Buckets Over Broadway’s writers to discuss what’s next for the Knicks.

1.) How much job security does Mike Woodson have?

Scott Davis (@WScottDavis): I truly think Wednesday night, Woodson will be coaching for his job. Last night’s loss could be blamed on a lot of things, but mainly Woodson’s total brainfart over the final 24.5 seconds. It was inexcusable, and when Carmelo Anthony is dishing quotes such as, “If he says it’s his fault, it’s his fault,” that doesn’t bode well for anyone.

Dec 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Kaplan (@Kaps_Locked): There is no job security for Mike Woodson. But, that’s the nature of the beast that is coaching in New York. Nobody has job security. Jeff Van Gundy was one of the most successful coaches in team history, and he didn’t have job security before he decided to up and leave. The Knicks have played miserably this year, and not all of that is Mike Woodson’s fault. However, some of it is, and that’s going to lead to his dismissal sooner rather than later.

Ankit Mehra (@amehra11): Woodson is on the hot seat. Felton and Prigioni are injured, meaning that Udrih and Murry are the two point guards available, and unless “Murry Madness” strikes, I cannot see Woodson finishing this season with the Knicks.

Richard Bertin (@richardbertin): On any other franchise Woodson wouldn’t have made it past November, but on Dolan’s Knicks, loyal employees have always been given a comical amount of job security. However, that’s not to say it would be surprising to hear of Woodson “resigning” any day now. That said, I don’t think Herb Williams replacing him would thrill Knick fans ether.

2.) With injuries racking up, is it time to make a trade, for Kyle Lowry or otherwise?

Davis: Lowry is likely the only trade the Knicks could make that could have a significant impact on the team, but Lowry isn’t saving the season. It all depends on what the Knicks would have to give up, and how it affects their long-term outlook. They could get a real return this summer by using Lowry in a sign-and-trade, but again, is that value better than Shumpert, Hardaway Jr., and/or a 2018 first rounder?

Kaplan: The question really is: What do the Knicks have to trade in the first place? It seems clear that their only desirable asset is Iman Shumpert, but the Knicks have shopped him around so much that other teams are beginning to believe they can wait it out and buy low on Shumpert. It appears the Knicks best asset is the giant elephant in the room, Carmelo Anthony. The return the team would need to get to move Carmelo, however, is unreasonably high. Would trading a 2018 (really?) first round pick worth a just above replacement level point guard like Kyle Lowry?

Mehra: I would think with a lack of front court depth, and Udrih now the starter at PG, the Knicks should look to get into the conversation with Asik and/or Lowry. The downside is the fact that they’d have to give up picks or young talent. Since a deep playoff run is not in the future this year, it would probably be smarter to take Dolan’s approach (did I just say that?) and preserve what we have in terms of picks.

Bertin: Now isn’t the time to make a shortsighted move. Lowry is a huge upgrade from Felton, but losing scarce assets for a free agent isn’t going to help. (Not that Felton is an asset but Shumpert, Hardaway Jr. and whatever semblance of future draft picks still are). Despite how bad the East looks, the Knicks shouldn’t be fooled into thinking they can compete for anything this year, so lets take a break from ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine and be mindful of the dreadful results of past panic moves.

3.) Is there still a turning point ahead, or are we looking at the real 2013-14 Knicks?

Davis: I’m not sure there’s an actual turning point. Could a healthy Knicks team in January piece together five or six wins in a row? Maybe. If they can continue to play .500 ball until the team is healthy, string together a win streak, and play .500 ball thereafter, then they’re looking at playoff spot, which, is certainly the goal since they achieve nothing by tanking this season.

Dec 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) stands on the court during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Kaplan: Tyson Chandler will add an element to the Knicks no other player on the roster can in terms of team defense and rebounding. Until Chandler is fully healthy, I don’t think we can accurately rate how good or bad the team is as a whole. It’s also important to remember how dreadful the East is this year. Look, a 35-win team is going to make the playoffs out of the Eastern Conference this year. The season isn’t over yet. Yet, being the keyword there.

Mehra: Sigh… These are the Knicks of 2013-2014. The worst part is that it will probably get worse in the future. There’s a lack of leadership, piling injuries, and little in the way of future development outside of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Shumpert (who will likely be traded). Unfortunately, I cannot see many bright spots for the rest of this season or the near future.

Bertin: Nope. This is it, and it’s only going to get worse as other teams in the East improve. We’ve been here before, Knicks fans, but hey, at least now we can always look across the river and laugh at the Nets. Wait, can we?