New York Knicks: Evaluating Lance Thomas’ Future With The Team
By Randy Porga
In what was a quiet year for Lance Thomas, we look at his future down the stretch with the New York Knicks, and the looming possibilities that come with the 3 years remaining on his contract.
It feels rather disappointing to acknowledge and point to a previous seasons highlight reel for what is now considered “vintage” Lance Thomas. For the moment, underwhelming is certainly one way to characterize this 2016-2017 season for New York Knicks fans.
But first, let’s take an inside look at where Thomas came from, what he’s made of, what his shelf life looks like in the NBA, and where he stands as of now.
Brooklyn Native Leads By Example, Hard Work
Lance Thomas started his basketball career in New Jersey, attending and playing for Newark’s Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School. After high school, he would move on to play for Duke. A list of accomplishments and accolades that shouldn’t be ignored or brushed off as mediocre include:
- Playing for the under 18 national team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship where the USA won the gold medal
- Being named co-captain at Duke in his senior year
- Winning a championship with Duke in 2010
- Being named to the 2009-2010 ACC All-Defensive Team for the 2010 season
- Holds a place in Duke history with 255 offensive rebounds
It would be hard to make a case against what the ceiling of his potential is, but on the offensive side of the ball, he ‘s hardly what you would call impressive.
Over four years at Duke, Lance Thomas would average 4.6 points per game on 52.5 percent shooting from the field. In the NBA with these numbers, a player will not survive, and this is an area Thomas should seek to continue improving.
He has previously earned his reputation as a tough, physical player, as well as a hard worker who’s capable of defending multiple positions. This remains to be true, and this is why he still holds stock for now on the Knicks’ roster.
Journeyman, Searching For A Home
Lance Thomas would find himself bouncing around from the NBA D-League to the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans to a short stint at the CBA and then returning to the United States. He found a landing a spot on the Oklahoma City Thunder before leaving once again.
Now at his current home with the New York Knicks, Thomas has found himself in a decent spot. He’s landing a fair share of time in the starting lineup with Carmelo Anthony throughout 2016-17.
With Joakim Noah missing a large amount of time this season, and a once too often banged up Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez, Thomas has found himself numerous opportunities to shine.
Despite missing a number of games from a painful orbital bone fracture, he has continued to prove to be the Knicks’ most consistent and effective player on the defensive side of the ball. As well as averaging 6.1 points per game, this is a small upgrade from his college days.
That’s just above his NBA career average at 5.6 points per game. At 28 years old, Thomas is signed through the 2019-20 season at a base salary just over $7.5 million.
The Roster Needs To Start Making Sense
The Knicks are bankrupt of any current defensive IQ. Lance Thomas and two rookies, Ron Baker and Willy Hernangomez, have stepped up when called upon. It has become evident that Thomas can be spotted filling defensive assignments for other veteran players who should know better at this point in their career.
This team needs another offseason to find a solution to their current identity crisis. Although they do have some limited, yet intriguing, options.
Should Phil Jackson continue giving Carmelo Anthony components he will not be able to win with, and continue building a team without chemistry or the ability to run the magical triangle, we will continue hearing the pessimism from the echo-chamber of long disgruntled fans in New York.
With that being said, Lance Thomas may have secured himself a roster spot and saved himself from being used as trade bait for his defensive prowess with the Knicks this offseason. Meanwhile he also may have unintentionally doomed himself with an at best mediocre career without finding any success on a winning team.
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It seems these days, Phil Jackson has every New York Knicks player’s future on the line. Nobody is safe.