Knicks have been terribly run since 2000, they did have that lucky finals run as the 8th seed in 1999 but ended up losing to the Sours. That whole ordeal with Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury was terrible, they were threatening to bring up dirt on each other. The carmelo era which was a total letdown, the Jeremy Lin saga that brought them more hype but they didn't get much out of it. Phil Jackson didn't do much except command a big salary for his "championship experience". Most fans want Dolan to sell the team already and let someone else run it.
The Carmelo Era was the last time that they've reached the playoffs and after that there's nothing happen until now, the management failed to adjust which leading the team to lose fans and supporters, it's likely to say that nothing much to expect this year as the team mostly composed of new players that needs to showcase their individual skills, another trial squad with no certain directions just needed to represent the franchise for this season.
They didnt took the risk which is something the fans didnt like.
It is like saying they dont have the money.
Cmon!, you are in New York and we need stars there. They are losing sales because of what they did.
Just the mere of signing in Durant could get you sales in jersey and shoes and a lot more. That is even if Durant aint playing this year.
Giving hope is something that the Knicks fans want right now since it had been a long time since they go for a championship.