After falling short in the 1981 NBA Playoffs, the Knicks' general manager Eddie Donovan attempted to add some veteran talent with the intention of making a more playoff-ready team.
But Donovan's decisions showed he was out of touch with his team, and most importantly, his star player Michael Ray Richardson.
First Ray Williams, Richardson's terrific backcourt teammate, was headed to free agency and therefore traded for veteran Maurice Lucas.
Another one of Richardson's friends, Mike Glenn was also sent away, rather than being re-signed for a second-round draft pick.
After the Season, Holtzman stepped down as Knicks head coach, and Richardson would be shipped off to the Golden State Warriors.