Should the New York Knicks consider signing Louis Labeyrie long term?
The New York Knicks have the draft rights to Louis Labeyrie, but does his stock really show he could help the Knicks in the near future?
Back in the 2014 NBA draft, the Indiana Pacers drafted French big Louis Labeyrie. The New York Knicks, however, hold his draft rights, and are free to sign him if they please.
Labeyrie is listed at 6-10, 220 pounds. He hasn’t had any NBA experience to date, other than some games in the Summer League. NBADraft.net describes Labeyrie as a strong defensive player who is also capable of rebounding at a high rate. However, he is also a limited offensive asset, which doesn’t quite improve his stock.
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Overseas, Labeyrie hasn’t averaged over 25 minutes per game, and his scoring averages have not risen past 10 points per game, according to RealGM. If you take a look at his defensive performances as well, his Defenisve Rating has been over 100 throughout his career. He hasn’t averaged more than a single block per game, which doesn’t bode well for someone who is a “strong defender.” This begs the question: Is Labeyrie really worth signing?
Given the Knicks’ tough defensive interior, Labeyrie might not fit in. Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis are far more reliable for defense, though they can’t stay on the court at all times. Which means that Labeyrie could potentially serve as a solid defender coming off the bench.
His height is helpful for an already small Knicks bench, and his athleticism would be useful for covering large areas. Labeyrie’s weight should raise some concern though, just like Porzingis’ case. A frame of 220 pounds would not fair well against most power-forwards in the league, especially for someone with an already weak offensive game.
Aside from his physical attributes, Labeyrie is still pretty young. He was stashed after the 2014 draft in order to develop in Europe, but his development has clearly proven fruitless. To bring a young player like Labeyrie over to New York would make things so much harder on his life.
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We all know that New York fans can be harsh — the drafting of Kristaps alone should be evidence. At this point, New York should only be considering experienced veterans that are entering free agency after the season ends. The Knicks will need big men, of course, but Labeyrie is not one they should be considering.
At the very least, Willy Hernangomez should be the only foreign player in consideration. His offensive prowess and bigger build are far more beneficial than the likes of Labeyrie.
Carmelo Anthony is hunting for rings, and the Knicks already had two straight sub-par seasons. The rebuilding process can be swept away because Kristaps Porzingis has proven that he was a quality draft pick.
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It’s time to shake up the roster and bring in an older, educated culture to New York.