hornacek
Jeff Hornacek is expected to return has the Knicks head coach next season. Getty

The New York Knicks' (30-48) playoff hopes were dashed at about the All-Star break, prompting Phil Jackson and the front office to consider personnel options for next season. With the start of the regular season more than six months away, the Knicks will have ample time to reorganize the roster and coaching staff.

One thing that seems certain is that there won't be a head coaching change. Marc Berman of the New York Post quoted sources that said the Knicks will hold on to Jeff Hornacek, though such a revelation isn't much a surprise given most head coaches are given more than one full season to prove their worth.

But who exactly will be playing for Hornacek in 2017-18? The club will likely look into the free-agent market but there aren't any top players available. The Knicks may want to look at point guard George Hill should Derrick Rose decide to leave. Rose wants to play for a winner, so it wouldn't shocking if he bolts for a contending team, though his value is uncertain given his number of injuries.

But the Knicks' fortunes may rest on who they land in the draft. The Knicks' range for draft picks will be between No. 1 and No. 12, depending on how the ping-pong balls bounce in the NBA Draft Lottery. At the moment, the Knicks have the fifth-worst record in the league.

No matter where the Knicks draft, they should have an opportunity to land a solid piece to their roster. However, this draft lacks a "franchise changer" like LeBron James so the selection won't be expected to immediately reverse the Knicks' fortunes. The Knicks will likely draft for talent over need, especially since they have weaknesses in almost every area.

Assuming the Knicks don't land one of the three top picks—Joshua Jackson, Lonzo Ball and Markelle Fultz are expected to be taken very early—Jackson should be able to bolster the roster with a promising rookie. With the exception of 19-year-old Frank Ntilikina, a Belgium-born point guard, every player expected to be selected in the lottery is coming off a freshman season.

De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

More of a combo guard than a pure point guard, Fox would be a great choice for New York. The Texas native has a good feel for the game with very good court vision and lots of athleticism. The game seems to come easy for him and he's isn't afraid to carry a team on his shoulders, as he did against UCLA in the tournament. If there's a knock on Fox it's that he's a bit of a streak shooter and might need to add to his thin frame.

Regardless of any perceived shortcomings, if Fox is available, the Knicks should grab him.

Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke

It's doubtful that Tatum will struggle in the NBA but he also doesn't seem to have a very high ceiling either. He's neither a great athlete and nor an elite shooter, but the potential is there for Tatum to emerge as a starter for most teams in the league. He is a smart, active player that will almost certainly have a solid long-term future in the league. On a balanced-scoring team, Tatum averaged 16.8 points per game and shot well from the field (45.2 percent), from beyond the arc (34.2 percent) and from the free-throw line (48.9 percent).

Tatum probably won't be available beyond the No. 7 pick.

Jonathan Isaacs, F, Florida State

Athletic and fluid, Isaacs is 6'10 and looks like a he can be a star. It's doubtful that Isaacs will have a breakout rookie campaign, but the tools are there for him to eventually mature into a big contributor. Isaac's college stats don't jump out at you—he averaged just 12 points per game—but he lit up then-No. 16 Notre Dame for 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks.

Isaacs might slip as low as No. 9 but he is probably the most athletic big man in the draft, so a more reasonable spot is at No. 5 or No. 6.

Basketball