Recent YORK – Former New York Knicks coach David Fizdale recently revealed that team management explicitly directed him to prioritize losing during the 2018-19 NBA season, with the intention of securing a high draft pick for either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. The revelation, made during an appearance on the “Run It Back” show, sheds light on a controversial period in Knicks history and the lengths to which the organization went in pursuit of franchise-altering talent.
“The plan that we came up with, I was all in on that, and I was like this is the deal and this is the way to go about it,” Fizdale said, as reported by HoopsHype and the Newark Star-Ledger. “It just didn’t come to fruition. Losing all them damn games, donating my record to get Zion Williamson or Ja.”
The Knicks finished the 2018-19 season with a dismal 17-65 record, the worst in the NBA. Fizdale’s account suggests this poor performance wasn’t accidental, but rather a deliberate strategy orchestrated by those in charge. The team’s front office, according to Fizdale, believed that a bottom-of-the-league finish would maximize their chances of landing either Williamson, who ultimately went to the New Orleans Pelicans, or Morant, who was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies.
However, the plan didn’t stop there. Fizdale likewise stated that he was assured by team brass that the Knicks would be in prime position to sign both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the subsequent summer of 2019. This dual-pronged approach – tanking for a top draft pick *and* positioning themselves for a blockbuster free agency haul – represented a bold, if ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to rapidly rebuild the struggling franchise.
The Knicks’ gamble failed on both fronts. Despite having one of the worst records in the league, they didn’t secure the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. They ended up selecting RJ Barrett with the third overall pick. More significantly, Irving and Durant both chose to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, dashing the Knicks’ hopes of instantly becoming contenders.
The fallout from the failed plan was swift and decisive for Fizdale. After a 4-18 start to the 2019-20 season, he was relieved of his coaching duties. He has since taken on assistant coaching roles, most recently with the Phoenix Suns. The experience, however, clearly left a lasting impression.
“If I could do it over again, I would fight more to build a real team from the start and not put my record on the line,” Fizdale confessed. “It’s the difficult part for coaches when they agree to… sabotage the team. When you sabotage the team, it’s to build something bigger. You shouldn’t sabotage yourself waiting to see what might happen… it’s not the right formula.”
Fizdale’s comments raise questions about the ethics of tanking in professional sports. While not explicitly prohibited by the NBA, the practice is widely frowned upon, as it can undermine the integrity of the game and alienate fans. The league has implemented measures to discourage tanking, such as lottery reform, but the temptation to prioritize long-term gains over short-term competitiveness remains a challenge for struggling franchises.
The Knicks’ situation in 2018-19 serves as a cautionary tale. The pursuit of star power, while understandable, can backfire if not executed effectively. The team’s attempt to simultaneously tank for a draft pick and position themselves for free agency ultimately resulted in missing out on both opportunities, leaving them further behind in the competitive landscape of the Eastern Conference.
The financial implications of the plan also played a role. The Knicks’ intention to clear cap space for Irving and Durant led to the signing of Julius Randle, a move that, while not inherently negative, didn’t immediately translate into on-court success. Randle would later become a key player for the Knicks, but his initial arrival was part of a larger, flawed strategy.
For Fizdale, the experience was a harsh lesson learned. His willingness to publicly discuss the Knicks’ tanking plan demonstrates a level of candor that is rare in the often-guarded world of professional sports. His regret over prioritizing draft positioning over building a competitive team offers a valuable insight into the pressures faced by coaches in the modern NBA.
The Knicks are currently undergoing another rebuilding phase, hoping to finally establish themselves as a consistent playoff contender. The lessons learned from the 2018-19 season, as articulated by Fizdale, may serve as a guide for the organization as it navigates the challenges ahead. The team will look to build through a combination of draft picks, player development, and strategic free agency acquisitions, but with a renewed emphasis on fostering a competitive environment from the outset.
The next step for the Knicks is to continue developing their young core and create strategic moves in the upcoming offseason. The team’s performance in the remaining games of the 2025-26 season will be crucial in determining their draft position and their ability to attract free agents. Fans can follow updates on the Knicks’ official website and social media channels.
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