But there are underlying issues that lead people inside and outside the organization to wonder if Jackson is the right person to lead them forward. He didn't say it directly, but Porzingis gave a voice to some of those concerns last week when he spoke of the confusion in the organization at the moment "from top to bottom."
Part of the confusion stems from the Knicks' offense. Earlier in the season, coach Jeff Hornacek de-emphasized the triangle offense, preferring to play a more open offense that featured pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop options. Since the All-Star break, the Knicks have re-emphasized the triangle, which is Jackson's preferred offense.
Jackson may eventually be able to find players who excel in -- and appreciate -- the triangle. But the majority of current Knicks aren't comfortable in -- and don't care for -- the offense, according to sources.
These players often point to the amount of midrange shots the offense produces (the Knicks lead the league in midrange attempts, per NBA.com) and the tight spacing, which makes it difficult to drive. They also question the amount of contested shots taken (New York ranks in the top 10 in contested two-point field goals, per NBA.com).
Some Knicks also feel that the offense is easy to defend. Opposing players have told the Knicks that they can predict where they'll be when running the triangle, and one Eastern Conference coach last season told friends that defending the triangle was one of the easiest assignments in the league because of that.
The return to the triangle is one reason why several veterans have started to lose faith in Hornacek recently, sources say.
Now, it's certainly possible that Jackson's offense works with a new group of players on the roster, but what happens when Jackson's presidency ends?
It's almost certain that the Knicks' next president won't be implementing the triangle. So will the Knicks' young core (Porzingis, Hernangomez, etc.) be stuck learning a new offense after spending the past three seasons getting used to the triangle?
That's a factor that opposing executives have pointed to when talking about the Knicks' future.
On the free-agency front, the Knicks have to first decide what to do with Rose, who has shown that he can get to the basket at will but has struggled on the defensive end. He has a cap hold of $30 million, so the Knicks will need to renounce his rights this summer before they can make any significant signings.
Based on how they dangled Rose in trade talks at the deadline, it would seem as if they are ready to move on from the former MVP. But according to league sources familiar with the matter, the Knicks haven't ruled out the possibility of re-signing Rose at this point.
There are members of the organization who also see Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague as free agent targets. At the deadline, some discussed the idea of revisiting trade talks for Minnesota's Ricky Rubio as well.
If the dysfunction continues, no one should be surprised if Porzingis and Hernangomez leave the franchise in free agency. That, of course, would be the biggest black eye of Jackson's presidency.
Jackson and the Knicks have a mutual option after this season, and owner James Dolan has said that he will honor the final two years of Jackson's contract. But some around Dolan had been pushing him to consider making a change in recent months, according to sources.