Kyle O’Quinn
Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks signed Kyle O’Quinn to a four-year deal during the summer of 2015. It was a sign that New York viewed O’Quinn as more than just an end-of-the-rotation player who can help the locker room.
O’Quinn remains relatively inconsistent, but he’s beginning to show signs of what convinced Jackson to take a leap of faith.
O’Quinn finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two offensive boards, one assist, and a block in 14 minutes of quality play off the bench. He did so on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and accumulated a +/- of +8 for a bench that’s struggled in 2016-17.
If O’Quinn can provide the Knicks with more performances like this, then the second unit could potentially find its rhythm.
O’Quinn is an excellent high-post passer who can convert from midrange and attack the offensive glass. He’s still finding himself as a defender, but with a near 7’5″ wingspan, O’Quinn has the physical gifts to be a shot-blocker.
At the very least, it’s encouraging to see O’Quinn beginning to figure out his role and find his rhythm offensively.