It’s about halfway through another lost Knicks season and reasons for optimism are increasingly disappearing. Nonetheless, there are players who’ve been more positive than others, and vice versa. And that’s reflected in the Daily News’ midterm grades with the Knicks sitting at 11-31:

Bobby Portis

Stats: 42 games, 21.2 minutes, 10.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 43.9% shooting

Summary: Despite the big contract, Portis hasn’t cracked the starting lineup and is wildly inconsistent. Sometimes he’ll provide a spark, but more often equals a negative. Thus far, Portis has not given the Knicks a reason to pick up his $15.75 contract option for next season.

Grade: C-

RJ Barrett

Stats: 41 games, 31.2 minutes, 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 39.3% shooting

Summary: He’s proven durable despite the ankle sprain sustained Thursday that will keep Barrett out at least a week. He’s also been better defensively than advertised. Still, Barrett hasn’t emerged as the Rookie of the Year candidate as hoped. In order to get to the next level, he needs a consistent jumper. It’s not there yet.

Grade: B

Kevin Knox

Stats: 41 games, 19.6 minutes, 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 37.6% shooting

Summary: Has not taken the sophomore leap after a disappointing rookie campaign. Knox is still only 20 years old and shows flashes of potential, but is thus far not living up to being the ninth overall pick.

Grade: D+

Julius Randle

Stats: 40 games, 32.1 minutes, 19 points, 9.1 rebounds, 45.2% shooting

Summary: Struggled mightily at the beginning of the season but turned it on recently. He’s not a No. 1 option on a good team but that’s his role on the Knicks with a 26.6 usage rate. That means Randle is receiving more defense attention than he’s accustomed.

Grade: C+

Taj Gibson

Stats: 39 games, 16.3 minutes, 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 52% shooting

Summary: He’s filling his role as the low-maintenance veteran presence. Gibson, the stopgap starting center, has lost a step at 34 years old but can make up for it with experience.

Grade: C+

Mitchell Robinson

Stats: 38 games, 22.6 minutes, 9.9 points, 6.6 minutes, 71.3% shooting

Summary: Still a special young talent but hasn’t taken the leap expected in Year 2. Robinson still struggles with foul trouble and has not developed a secondary offensive skill beyond finishing at the rim. He has special nights but the expectation was greater after Robinson was an All-Rookie Second Team selection last season.

Grade: C

Allonzo Trier

Stats: 19 games, 12.3 minutes, 6.3 points, 1.3 assists, 45.1% shooting

Summary: Went from rookie revelation to being buried at the end of the bench. It’s not so much that Trier is struggling (although his -13.9 net rating is ugly), his game just doesn’t lend itself to movement and the Knicks have too many ball-dominant players.

Grade: D

Frank Ntilikina

Stats: 38 games, 22.1 minutes, 6.1 points, 3.2 assists, 38.8% shooting

Summary: Finally got his chance for consistent minutes and exhibited the same flaws while struggling to shoot and break down the defense. He’s better suited playing off the ball and with a point guard who can create open shots. Defensively, Ntilikina remains a gem.

Grade: C+

Dennis Smith Jr.

Stats: 21 games, 16.1 minutes, 5.2 points, 2.7 assists, 32.5% shooting

Summary: Smith’s confidence is broken and so is his shot. He’s dealt with injuries – most recently the strained oblique – and represents the biggest disappointment of the Knicks season.

Grade: F

Damyean Dotson

Stats: 36 games, 16.5 minutes, 5.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 39.2% shooting

Summary: I’ll always contend Dotson is underused and underrated but he his 30% shooting from beyond the arc won’t cut it. He should see more time with the injury to Barrett.

Grade: C

Marcus Morris

Stats: 34 games, 31.8 minutes, 19 points, 4.3 rebounds, 43.7% shooting

Summary: Became an indispensable piece to the Knicks with his amazing efficiency from beyond the arc (46.7%). A leader in the locker room and the MVP of the first half of the season.

Grade: A

Elfrid Payton

Stats: 24 games, 25 minutes, 8.5 points, 5.7 assists, 41.6% shooting

Summary: The bar is low but Payton has been the team’s top playmaker and point guard. He’s also an above-average defender.

Grade: B-

Wayne Ellington

Stats: 23 games, 14.3 minutes, 4 points, 1.7 rebounds, 32.3% shooting

Summary: The veteran has mysteriously devolved into unplayable with the Knicks after signing his two-year $18 million contract. Ellington was acquired to hit shots and he’s making just 32% of them.

Grade: F

Mike Miller

Stats: 7-13 record

Summary: The interim coach has produced improvement from David Fizdale but there’s only so much capable with the roster. There were concerns about a coach with little experience in the NBA, but Miller has proven more than capable.

Grade: B

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