Los Angeles Laker players LeBron James, center, and Anthony Davis, right, take in an NBA summer league basketball game between the New York Knicks and the New Orleans Pelicans, Friday, July 5, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)Break up the Lakers?
Break up the Clippers?
Throw a pity party for New York Knicks fans?
As the results of free agency and deal-making become clearer in one of the wildest NBA offseasons in recent memory, there are clear winners, possible winners and the Knicks, who once again appear to have positioned themselves for another season devoid of the playoffs.
To better understand the embarrassment that the Knicks have become, they’ve missed the playoffs each of the past six seasons and 12 of the past 15. Once a playoff regular with two NBA titles and eight Finals appearances, the Knicks – despite playing their home games in Madison Square Garden, which is assuredly one of the country’s three or four most famous sports arenas and is in America’s most famous city – haven’t been able to land anyone bigger than forward Julius Randle, the former Kentucky star, early in this offseason.