The summer of 2010 was going to be the Knicks' summer. 

Finally. 

After years -- make that decades -- of bloated payroll and anemic win totals, things were going to change. The change started in 2008 with the hiring of former Pacers exec Donnie Walsh, who made it his top priority to clear cap space, something the Knicks had never done in the era of free agency. He dealt Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph, the team's two top scorers, in the season's first month, with the focus firmly on the summer of 2010, when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amaré Stoudemire would all be free agents. The big-ticket guys always talked about how much they loved playing in Madison Square Garden -- now one, or even two, of them could make the World's Most Famous arena their home for max money.

Well, we all know what happened next.

Since the earth-shaking Kristaps Porzingis trade, the Knicks' moves have been relatively ho-hum, especially with the trade deadline in the rearview mirror. All they've done outside of waiving Wesley Matthews is call up John Jenkins from their G-League team in Westchester, then sign him to a two-year, partially guaranteed deal.

Jenkins played 25 minutes in his last game, putting up 14 points in the team's first win since early January. But his call-up is more than just a random flier. The Knicks have a history of heavily utilizing the developmental league, finding diamonds in the rough that benefit the squad for more than 10 days. Jenkins isn't the first guy they've cleverly brought into the fold this season, nor will he be the last.

With two Knicks point guards out of commission due to injuries, Kadeem Allen -- another Westchester Knicks alum, has stepped up to the plate. In 10 games and 22 minutes a night, Allen has averaged 16.2 points and 7.2 assists per-36 minutes. He's shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from three, albeit on just 16 tries. He's shown a lot of point guard smarts and patience with his play, attacking only clear holes and actively seeking out teammates.

Warriors star Kevin Durant can be a free agent after the season, and the idea that he could team up with fellow free agent Kyrie Irving on the Knicks this summer has picked up steam since the Kristaps Porzingis trade cleared two max slots for New York. Here are the latest rumors...

Feb. 21, 9:06 AM:

"We have no idea what he's going to do," a Warriors source told Frank Isola of The Athletic about Durant's pending free agency, adding that "there's not much more we can sell him on."

It was only seconds into the Duke-UNC matchup at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Wednesday that Blue Devils star Zion Williamson was headed to the locker room for the rest of the game in what was a weird injury to say the least. 

Williamson suffered a mild knee strain after literally bursting through his Nike PG 2.5 PE sneaker on his left foot. The accident forced the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson to fall awkwardly on the hardwood, and sent him limping into the tunnel. 

The fact that Williamson actually went through his shoe caused an uproar on Twitter. Here's what it looked like...

The latest edition of the Duke-UNC rivalry began Wednesday night with an injury to arguably the best player on the floor in Blue Devils' F Zion Williamson.

After getting an offensive rebound on the first play of the game, Duke reset at the top of the key with Williamson dribbling the ball. But, as he took a step, Williamson's left shoe literally exploded and he slipped to the hardwood.

Williamson walked off limping on that left leg as he went to the locker room. After tests, it was determined Williamson suffered a "mild knee sprain," head coach Mike Kryzewski told AP's Tim Reynolds.

It is only right that Enes Kanter's first game with his new team -- the Portland Trail Blazers -- comes in New York.

Well, it isn't being played at MSG, but instead Barclays Center when the Nets host the Blazers on Thursday night. Kanter practiced for the first time with his new teammates on Wednesday, but of course, the New York media had to know how he felt about leaving the Big Apple.

Kanter wasn't a fan of how the Knicks were treating him, as he sat on the bench for most nights until he was eventually released. Though it's still fresh in his mind, Kanter understands why they made the decision, and says there is no animosity toward the coaches or the team.

Celtics star Kyrie Irving can be a free agent after the season, and the idea that he could team up with fellow free agent Kevin Durant on the Knicks this summer has picked up steam since the Kristaps Porzingis trade cleared two max slots for New York. Here are the latest rumors...

Feb. 20, 12:27 PM: During a television interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, Irving addressed what it's like to have everyone talking about him and his impending free agency, describing it as a "distraction." 

"The talks don't stop. The talks follow the great players in the league, and I'm appreciative and grateful to be one of those great players in our league now," Irving said. "I've worked my way to get here, and honestly, all that goes with the free-agent talk is really a distraction.

The Knicks and guard Jordan Jenkins have agreed to a two-year contract, according to multiple reports.

Jenkins was signed by the Knicks to a 10-day contract on Feb. 11. After spending most of the year in the G League with the Westchester Knicks, Jenkins earned a 10-day contract with the Wizards before the Knicks signed him.

The contract is not fully guaranteed for the 2019-20 season but contains a trigger date for a guarantee next season, per multiple reports. Jenkins was signed with the veteran's minimum exception, according to ESPN.

The Knicks signed forward Henry Ellenson to a 10-day contract on Tuesday, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. 

Ellenson, 22, was the 18th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. 

He was released before the trade deadline, appearing in just two games this season. The 6-foot-11 forward out of Marquette averaged 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 59 games with Detroit. 

As this New York Knicks season winds down, fans are taking inventory of the development of their young, rebuilding roster in 2018-19. 

While it's the names like Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson - two of the team's key future pieces - dominating most of this attention, there's another component of this rebuild that needs to be examined.

Little can be drawn from the win column in what's essentially a tanking season, but we can still dig into head coach David Fizdale's first year at the reins and the job he's done building a culture and foundations for a winning roster. 

James Dolan selling the Knicks may be closer to reality than ever before. 

According to The Ringer's Bill Simmons, the Knicks owner is currently "courting offers" and says that the team is "available."

"Multiple people told me this, who know things, James Dolan is courting offers for the Knicks," Simmons said on his podcast Sunday night. "It's happening. It's on. It's go time. He's courting offers for the Knicks. That is what I've heard at All-Star Weekend from people I trust."

Like every other professional sport commissioner, NBA's Adam Silver is not a fan of tanking. 

However, there are multiple teams still doing it in plain sight this season, with the Knicks among them. During his press conference at NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, NC, Silver talked about tanking and how "corrosive" he believes it is to organizations. 

"There's a mindset that if you're going to be bad, you might as well be really bad," Silver told the Daily News' Stefan Bondy. "I believe personally that's corrosive for those organizations."

Dennis Smith Jr. got further than last year, but he still fell short in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night in Charlotte. 

The Knicks guard was bested by Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo, who had scores of 43 and 45 in the final round to defeat Smith, who had scores of 35 and a perfect 50 in the final round. 

Smith's best dunk came in the first round when he brought out rapper J. Cole, whom Smith grew up with in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and jumped over him as J. Cole tossed him the ball to dunk. 

Kevin Durant may not want to talk about free agency or trades, but the topic does not seem like it will escape him any time soon. 

The Warriors forward addressed reporters at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte on Saturday and was once again asked about his pending free agency and the Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis. 

"I play basketball for the Warriors, and my main concern is to be the best basketball player I can be every day," he told reporters.

The Duke duo of Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett certainly showed why they could go 1-2 in the NBA Draft on Saturday night. 

Williamson was again a force under the basket on the offensive side of the ball, scoring a game-high 32 points -- the second-most this season -- on 12 of 16 from the field in a 94-78 victory over NC State. 

Yet it was Barrett who stole the show with his best performance of the year. 

This All-Star Weekend, a pair of young Knicks are showcasing their talents in the national spotlight. 

Rookie Kevin Knox participated in the Rising Stars Challenge and newly-acquired Dennis Smith Jr. will be competing in the Slam Dunk Contest Saturday night. Though worthy of their inclusions, they may not be the best this developing New York core has to offer.

A case can be made that their best prospect is watching from home: Mitchell Robinson. 

Pelicans star Anthony Davis has requested a trade, informing the team he has no interest in re-signing. With news of Davis wanting out came reports that the Knicks have strong interest in trading for him. Here are the latest rumors...

Feb. 16, 12:25 PM:

With All-Star Weekend underway in Charlotte, Davis told the Daily News' Stefan Bondy he is "focused on winning on this point of my career and wherever that may be." So why would he want the Knicks to be on his desired list?

The Knicks have some history of the smallest guy winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and Dennis Smith Jr. is hopeful he can add to that on Saturday night. 

While the 6-foot-3 guard is not quite as small as the 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson -- the last Knicks to win the contest (three times) -- he is still the smallest participant in this year's field and hopes that can work in his favor. 

"I'm the smallest guy in the contest, easily," Smith told reporters on Saturday. "So I might have a slight edge in that aspect."

It took a Lonzo Ball injury for him to get there, but Knicks rookie Kevin Knox tried to make the most of his appearance in Friday's Rising Stars game as part of the NBA's All-Star weekend. 

The 19-year-old played 16 minutes for Team USA, which defeated Team World, 161-144. Knox had 11 points, two rebounds and assist, going 5-for-9 from the field including 1-for-3 from 3-point range. Knox was tied for the second-fewest minutes on the team after playing in a back-to-back with the Knicks Wednesday and Thursday.

Kevin Durant's pending free agency has at least one NBA Hall of Famer scratching his head. 

Rick Barry, who won an NBA Championship with the Warriors in 1975, is absolutely baffled by the very thought of the Warriors All-Star leaving the franchise to potentially join the Knicks. 

"He has a chance to be part of something exceptional, something so special. Why would you want to leave that when you can have fun playing the game the right way?" he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News on Friday.

Duke freshman phenom Zion Williamson has posted impressive stat lines, thrown down electrifying dunks and wowed crowds with stunning blocks.

But LeBron James is most impressed with Williamson's attitude.

"Everybody gets so caught up in the game itself," James said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I look at the intangibles. And he seems like he has great intangibles and seems like a great kid."

The Knicks got the taste of victory for the first time in a month and a half, defeating the Hawks on the road, 106-91, on Thursday night. >> Box score

Things to know about Thursday's game

1) This one felt different from the start with the Knicks getting off to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. They would finish with a solid 28-13 lead, which set the tone for the rest of this one. The Hawks would tie it up at 47 with 1:28 left in the second after an Omari Spellman three. But New York went into the half with the lead, and didn't lose it the entire second half.

The grim reality for New York Knicks fans is that their season truly continues on Tuesday, May 14, otherwise known as the day of the NBA Draft Lottery.

How the ping pong balls fall that evening will define the course of this franchise for years to come, and these last 25 games, though sure to be a slog of losses, will play a major role in shaping the Knicks' fate that evening. Here are the varied scenarios Knicks faithful should prepare for between now and when that first envelope is opened.

Currently, New York owns the worst record in the league at 10-47. The teams trailing in the tank-off but within reach are the Phoenix Suns at 11-48, Cleveland Cavaliers at 12-46, and Chicago Bulls at 14-44. The Atlanta Hawks were once a contender in Tank Bowl 2019, but rattled off five wins in six games in late 2018, and have since been regular terrible instead of Knicks terrible.

Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce wants to see his young team finish the first portion of the season strong.

The New York Knicks, who visit the Hawks on Thursday in their final game before the All-Star break, simply want a win.

The Knicks (10-47) have the worst record in the NBA and have lost 18 straight, a single-season franchise record and two short of the 20-game streak that spanned the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons.

Dennis Smith Jr. exchanged words with Ben Simmons during the Knicks' loss to the Sixers on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. After the game, Smith weighed in.

"He was just, you know, doing a lof of things that wasn't really related to basketball," Smith said. "He knows me . ... I'm just saying, just keep it hooping. If there's anything else, just let it be known. But other than that, just play basketball."

Smith and Simmons first got into it Wednesday when Kevin Knox posterized Simmons. After Knox rose over Simmons and threw down a ferocious dunk right in his face, Smith ran over and taunted him as Simmons was laying on the floor under the basket...

The matchup between the 76ers and Knicks Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden went as anyone would expect: A loss for the home team. Despite the Knicks having a fourth-quarter surge, the final 126-111 score was an outcome most would have seen coming even before both teams stepped on the hardwood. 

However, there was one matchup that Knicks fans had to love coming into this game -- Mitchell Robinson vs. Joel Embiid. 

Robinson, the Knicks' second-rounder that has seen a surge in production lately, did more than just hold his own against the All-Star center. While scoring 14 points (on a few lobs of course) and collecting 13 boards, Robinson also registered a game-high four blocks that included a couple forceful ones on Embiid.

The Knicks made a valiant effort to make a comeback, but the 76ers pulled away to beat New York, 126-111, at Madison Square Garden on Wednedsay night. >> Box score

Things to know about Wednesday's game

1) The Knicks had a poor effort on the defensive side of the ball in this one, as the Sixers shot 53.8 percent from the field. Joel Embiid and newly-acquired Tobias Harris cashed in the most, finishing with 26 and 25 points respectively. Embiid also had 14 rebounds to collect another double-double on the season. 

It looks like Sixers PG Ben Simmons didn't get the memo: When Kevin Knox is coming down the lane, don't jump.

Knox added another highlight to his rookie reel on Wednesday night, as he took a pass from DeAndre Jordan, streaked through the lane, and rose to dunk all over Simmons.

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO

After the Knicks traded Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis two weeks ago, the team apparently is trying to distance itself from him so much that it doesn't feel the need to host Latvian Heritage Night.

The Knicks will no longer be holding the event, according to The Athletic. The celebration was originally scheduled for Feb. 24 when the Knicks host the Spurs.

Once DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony provided the world a glimpse at Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013, NBA teams which previously either weren't aware of "The Greek Freak" or didn't think much of him as a prospect were suddenly descending on Greece in droves. People from all levels of nearly every NBA front office were getting an up-close look at Antetokounmpo.

Only one team didn't make the trip, and it was none other than the Knicks, the revelation only making the sad-sack franchise look worse.

According to Giorgos Panou of Octagon Basketball Europe, the Knicks were the only club to not send anyone on a scouting trip to Greece to evaluate Antetokounmpo. Panou revealed this in a teaser clip for TNT's upcoming documentary "Finding Giannis."

On Monday night, the New York Knicks broke the franchise record for longest single-season losing streak.

On Wednesday, the Knicks may move another defeat closer to their all-time record -- while also getting a glimpse at an opponent that proves such struggles can lead to a positive end.

The Knicks will look to snap their epic skid Wednesday when they host the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden.

New York's losing streak hit 17 games Monday night, when a late comeback bid fell short in a 107-104 defeat to the host Cleveland Cavaliers.

Enes Kanter has found a new home in the NBA. 

Kanter announced on Twitter that he has agreed to a deal with the Trail Blazers for the rest of the season. 

CLICK BELOW TO SEE THE TWEET

Zion Williamson was at it again Tuesday night.

The Duke men's basketball star, likely No. 1 NBA Draft selection and potential future Knick led the No. 2 Blue Devils to an epic comeback as they erased a 23-point second-half deficit to defeat No. 16 Louisville, 71-69. The second-half comeback was the largest of the Mike Krzyzewski era and the second-largest in program history.

The Knicks set a new franchise record with their longest losing streak (17 games) in franchise history after losing to the Cavaliers, 107-104, in Cleveland Monday night. >> Box score

Things to know about Monday's game

1) The Knicks came close to forcing overtime in this one, as Luke Kornet drained back-to-back threes to bring New York within one. He had a great look after a pump fake to take the lead, but was well short on another three. In the end, the Knicks had two chances to bury a three to send the game to overtime, but Dennis Smith Jr. and Kornet were off. 

The good news is that someone will have to win Monday night, when the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers play each other. The bad news is ... someone will have to win.

A valuable spot in the draft lottery may be at stake when the Cavaliers host the Knicks in a battle of teams engaged in the "race" for the No. 1 draft pick in June.

Both teams, appropriately enough, will enter Monday mired in the midst of epic skids. The Knicks tied a franchise record by suffering their 16th straight loss Saturday, when they fell 104-99 to the visiting Toronto Raptors. New York also suffered 16 straight losses during the 2014-15 season. >> Read More

The Knicks are currently losers of 16 straight games and have the worst record in the NBA with under half a season to play. This may be reason enough for some to tune out, but the team's collection of young talent now has a touch over two months to develop their game over extended NBA minutes.

Considering these neophytes make up the entirety of the Knicks' books beyond this summer, it's as good a time as any to get used to seeing them, especially with the team's future in their hands. Here are a few reasons to watch New York and its youngsters play out 2018-19:

Dennis Smith Jr., staying solid

The Knicks issued a statement about potential free agent Kevin Durant appearing in a photo the team was using to promote season ticket sales for the 2019-20 season.

"Game action photos are used all the time for marketing purposes, but given everything going on, we took precaution of taking the photo down," the Knicks said in a statement, according to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy. "To be clear, it was one of several rotating photos on the website."

Former Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek opened up about his two-year stint with New York, working with former team president Phil Jackson and how he struggled with the triangle offense for the first time.

Speaking on "The Woj Pod" with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Hornacek said he thought coaching the Knicks "was a great experience" and embraced the Madison Square Garden atmosphere.

However, Hornacek, who went 60-104 in two years before he was fired and replaced with David Fizdale, said his grasp of the triangle offense that Jackson won championships with the Chicago Bulls with didn't carry over.

Along with the decisions coming from pending free agents Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and others, the decision Kawhi Leonard makes could have huge ramifications for the Knicks. 

The Knicks haven't been heavily connected to Leonard, but where he winds up could potentially have the biggest impact on the man rumored to be their main target -- Durant.

And if you were expecting Kawhi Leonard -- one of the quietest superstars ever -- to give away what he's thinking about his pending free agency, you should probably adjust your expectations.

The Knicks are expected to sign sharpshooter John Jenkins to a 10-day contract on Sunday, reports Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Jenkins, who has spent most of this season with the Westchester Knicks in the G League, is finishing his 10-day contract with the Wizards on Sunday.

Before his recent stint with the Wizards, the 27-year-old Jenkins last played in the NBA for the Suns during the 2016-17 season.

It was hard fought, but the Knicks fell for the 16th straight game as the Raptors took them down, 104-99, at Madison Square Garden Saturday night. >> Box score

Things to know about Saturday's game

1) The Knicks got off to a hot start with a 14-3 run. However, the Raptors closed the first quarter with a 25-23 lead. New York made it close the rest of the way, regaining their lead at one point in the second. But Toronto, the second-best team in the Eastern Conference right now, would've let this one slip away. 

It was Saturday's best college basketball matchup when No. 2-ranked Duke visited No. 3 Virginia for a tough ACC matchup. But Duke, once again, came away with the victory, 81-71, as they continue to show their dominance this season. 

With LeBron James among those in attendance, Duke F Zion Williamson was doing it all on the hardwood. He drained 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 5-of-7 from the free throw line. He also collected five rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and three steals. 

The only knock on Williamson tonight was his five turnovers, as he was sloppy with the ball. However, he made up for it with plays like this one...

Since coming over in the blockbuster trade with the Mavericks, Dennis Smith Jr. has been the Knicks' entire offense. And that's not an exaggeration. 

After dropping 25 points the game before, Smith drained a career-high 31 against the Pistons on Friday night. He also had eight assists, as the young point guard hasn't been shy with his aggressive style of play. 

But Smith still wasn't happy despite setting a new personal best in points. He shot 11-for-19 from the charity stripe, which included five misses in the fourth quarter that allowed the Pistons lead to rack up. 

The Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks were both busy at the NBA trade deadline, albeit with entirely different goals in mind.

Both teams might move closer to their objectives Saturday night, when the free-falling Knicks host the Raptors at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks closed in on matching an ignoble record Friday night, when they absorbed their 15th consecutive defeat in falling to the host Detroit Pistons, 120-103. The Raptors earned their third straight win Thursday when they beat the Hawks in Atlanta, 119-101.

It was the same result between the Pistons and Knicks in this second leg of a home-and-home, as Detroit took down New York, 120-103, on Friday night. >> Box score

Things to know about Friday's game

1) Following up a 25-point game, Dennis Smith Jr. dropped a career-high 31 points on 9-for-15 from the field with eight assists and two rebounds as well. Smith also went 11-for-19 from the charity stripe, which he didn't seem happy about having given away eight free points. Either way, he has solidified himself as the Knicks' main source of offense since the Kristaps Porzingis trade. 

With thoughts of free-agent stars potentially finding their way to "The City That Never Sleeps," the current New York Knicks' cast will attempt to wake up from a persistent nightmare on Friday when it visits the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons (24-29) handed the NBA-worst Knicks (10-43) their 14th consecutive defeat and 22nd in 23 games on Tuesday with a 105-92 decision in the front end of the home-and-home set.

Blake Griffin scored 29 points, and Andre Drummond added 17 to go along with 16 rebounds as Detroit defeated New York for the fifth straight time and kept its hapless foe winless since its 119-112 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan 4. >> Read More

Knicks fans should know better than to put the cart in front of the horse, but with their team's summer plans revolving around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, it's worth looking at how they plan to surround the two with players that can aid them in a championship hunt.

The two alone won't make New York a leading contender in today's arms race among the league's best. Philadelphia and Golden State are four All-Stars deep, while the Knicks will likely have just five players on their roster come July 1.

Here's who they should try to retain and pursue once that time comes given Durant and Irving decide to sign on.

Kevin Knox is honored to bring his talent out of the Big Apple and showcase it on the national stage during All-Star weekend.

The 19-year-old rookie forward was added on Wednesday to play in the Rising Stars Game on Feb 15 in Charlotte. Knox received the nod as a replacement for Lakers' Lonzo Ball on the US team. The game features the game's top rookies and sophomores.

"It's a great accomplishment," Knox said. "My mom and dad will be out there too. Need to go out there and put on for the Knicks, but put on for the USA team as well. I feel very honored by it and just going to play hard."

With the NBA trade deadline officially closed, the Knicks will release C Enes Kanter and newly-acquired G/F Wesley Matthews. 

The Knicks made Kanter's release official in a press release, and he is likely to find a new team soon. The Celtics could be a fit for the disgruntled center, as Begley pointed out earlier this week.

"From the moment he arrived in New York, Enes passionately embraced our franchise and our city," GM Scott Perry said. "He is a courageous individual and we thank him for his many contributions both on the court and in the community. We wish him the absolute best moving forward, personally and professionally."