One question seemingly hovered over the Knicks franchise before the season: How would this team toe the difficult line between development and dedication to winning now, while star Carmelo Anthony, at the age of 31, enjoys the last year or two of his prime?

For a while, with the unexpectedly strong play of 20-year-old rookie Kristaps Porzingis, the issue became moot. But lately, with Porzingis shooting 29% in the past seven games, and the team fighting to stay afloat in a strengthened Eastern Conference with a 14-15 record,...