5. Necessary Depth
In today’s NBA, where ball movement and teamwork tend to win out, teams require depth at all five positions. The stars at the top may determine the outcomes, but it’s the reserves who either maintain a lead or lose it.
For the New York Knicks, depth was more important to find at point guard than any other position on the roster.
When New York traded for Derrick Rose, it readily acknowledged the risks involved. Head coach Jeff Hornacek stated during a recent press conference that one of the jobs of the coaching staff will be to manage to Rose’s minutes and appearances in 2016-17.
In other words, Brandon Jennings has been signed to be more than just the backup point guard—he’s been brought in as a capable starter if ever the need be.
Jennings spent most of the 2015-16 season on the bench, but that was the result of his recovering from a severe injury. Prior to last season, he started in 409 of a possible 412 games for the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons.
Every team needs a backup point guard and a sixth man, but New York needed a potential fill-in starter—and that’s exactly what it got.
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