Deep breath, Knicks nation.

Yes, fans everywhere had all the hope in the world that the franchise could win the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and the chance to take Duke phenom Zion Williamson.

That was dashed to pieces on Tuesday night, when the ping pong balls didn’t fall the right way, giving the Knicks the No. 3 pick. There was doom and gloom from fans, epic tabloid covers and lots of roasting from other NBA fans.

But now that Knicks die-hards have had a chance to (lose) sleep on it, maybe they’ll come to the same conclusion I have: This is not the worst thing to happen. Here’s why:

1. It could have been worse

The Cavaliers and Suns both had the same odds as the Knicks — 14 percent to get the top pick — but Cleveland fell to No. 5 and Phoenix got No. 6. Imagine how you’d feel if New York whiffed like that.

2. They could still use the pick to trade for Anthony Davis

The New Orleans Pelicans are now set up to be Zion Williamson’s franchise to lift, and No. 1 pick could ease potential trade of Anthony Davis. His stance on a trade has not changed, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 15, 2019

Despite the fact that the Pelicans got the top pick and the chance to grab Williamson, reports said AD still wants out of New Orleans. So what if the Pels could tell Williamson they could pair him with his Duke teammate RJ Barrett by trading for No. 3? The Lakers might still have a better package for The Brow, but they do have the fourth pick, which obvious is less enticing, because …

3. There are three players everyone is talking about in this draft

That would be Williamson, Barrett and Murray State point guard Ja Morant. And what if the Grizzlies — who have a lot of money locked up in veteran Mike Conley — opt for Barrett over Morant? The Knicks would get a point guard who proved last year that he might be another superstar in this draft. And if they end up with Barrett? Wouldn’t you want a wing scorer who averaged 22.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 4.3 apg? He’s good!

4. The Knicks still have all that cap space

A theory: Losing out on Zion doesn’t completely hurt luring big names to New York. It certainly would have helped if they got him. But two superstars knowing they can pair up with one another is still a big deal, and if the Knicks swing a trade for Davis, it could result in a Big 3 in the Big Apple.

5. What if Zion isn’t happy about going to New Orleans?

This was a thought a few fans had on Tuesday:

What happens if Zion pulls a 2004 Eli Manning and says tomorrow, “Sorry, I’m not going to New Orleans, I’m never playing there, I want to go to the Knicks or Hawks?” https://t.co/iVXh1KkEaS — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 15, 2019

It’s a BIG what if and nothing that Knicks fans should hang their hats on yet. But wouldn’t that be something?