Hornacek torn between rebuild and playoff push
Carmelo Anthony isn’t the only one torn. Coach Jeff Hornacek said he’s still aiming to make the playoffs, but made his first pitch that breaking up the team with an eye on a rebuild makes sense, too.
It’s unusual for a head coach to cite the merits of making moves to tank a season, but Hornacek is on a three-year deal and has always been known as a devout employee.
The Knicks, still in the race at just 1 ¹/2 games out of the eighth seed, host the moribund Lakers on Monday as they continue a must-win fivegame homestand.
“We’re all competitors and we all want to get there,’’ Hornacek said Sunday. “[But] we have to understand we have to try to develop something for the long term. If we’re just skipping steps just to get in the playoffs that would be great for this year, then what do you do next year? We want to try to combine those two.”
Keeping the Knicks a contender while getting younger in trading Anthony probably isn’t doable. Anthony is still one of the best scorers in the league and that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
“If we’re looking at just trying to make the playoffs, I would say we have a team if we all stay healthy we have a shot at it,’’ Hornacek said. “As far as a rebuild, I haven’t talked about that. We’re trying to get that system in and working. [It’s] gotten better the last couple of weeks, we’re trying to build on that. If it ends up being a rebuild, we’ll work on that. If it’s the same team we’ll work on that.”
The swirling Anthony rumors had the club on edge but Hornacek feels it’s become white noise.
“I think when it first came out I thought it affected our guys, thinking, ‘What’s going on? Is Carmelo going to be here?’ ’’ Hornacek said. “I think they’ve gotten past that now.”
Hornacek said he has had limited contact with Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills, who have decided to explore Anthony offers with the Clippers, Cavaliers and Celtics despite the player’s no-trade clause. Anthony has repeatedly said in recent weeks if the team wants to blow it up, he’d consider waiving his no-trade, but all things equal, wants to remain.
A complete fire sale could also include trading Derrick Rose or Brandon Jennings for expiring contracts and draft picks. Both are in their contract’s final year and the Knicks may decide to draft a point guard with their first-round pick because it’s a deep class.
“At this point, they’re not coming to me saying we have this guy or that guy or we might do this or that,’’ Hornacek said. “They’re internally looking at all those things. If something got more serious maybe they come and ask me. Right now they’re doing their thing.”
At times, Hornacek spoke out of both sides of his mouth because he wants to keep his players focused on winning now. This is a key to finishing the homestand. After the Lakers, the Knicks face the Clippers in another Anthony trade audition, Denver and San Antonio. Hornacek said he’d like to win three of four.
Just to get to .500, with 30 games left, the Knicks will have to finish 19-11. A long winning streak could cool Jackson’s desire to blow it up again at the Feb. 23 deadline.
“Every player is concerned with the future a little bit, but not a whole lot,” Hornacek said. “Their concern is we want to get in the playoffs. It’s a little different factor from the coaching and front office standpoint. You’re trying to get in the playoffs but trying to build and grow. So we have to keep emphasizing that with the guys.”