The New York Knicks have won three out of their last five games. Sounds odd doesn’t it? As of right now, the Knicks sit as the second worse team in the NBA and could potentially finish this year as the worst. However, there seems to be more upside to this recent stretch of play.

Though the Knicks traded away their best player in Kristaps Porzingis, New York received a young and talented player in Dennis Smith Jr. and a veteran Center in DeAndre Jordan. Since joining the team, Smith is averaging 15 points and six assists per game while shooting 42% from field. Despite averaging just 12 points per game, rookie Kevin Knox is starting to show the league what he is capable of. With multiple 20+ point games and a career high 31 points this season, it might be safe to say that the rookie is starting to become acclimated to the league.

This upcoming off-season has the potential to be huge for the Knicks. With enough money to dish out two max contracts, the Knicks have their eyes fixed on free agency and hitting big in the draft. The team and fans alike all seem to have their eyes set on a select few names: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Zion Williamson. When it comes down to free agency the Knicks need to make Durant and Irving their top priorities. Currently, Durant is averaging 27 points per game, while Irving is averaging 22 points per game. If this duo pairs up in New York, there is a strong possibility of  creating a scary contender for the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks need to find a way to lure both all stars to the mecca or next season will be a near mirror image of the current. Without a superstar level player, the team will likely fall short on yet another postseason birth.