Knicks Rumors: Pros and Cons of potentially signing Alan Williams

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PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 05: Alan Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 5, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 109-106. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Pro: Defensive Rebounding

In 2016-17, the New York Knicks ranked amongst the league’s elite as far as offensive rebounding is concerned. New York finished at No. 3 in both offensive rebounds per game (12.0) and second chance points per contest (14.9).

Unfortunately, the Knicks were just as bad at keeping opponents off of the offensive glass as they were prolific at crashing it.

The Knicks allowed an average of 14.7 second chance points per game—the worst mark in the NBA. In other words: New York gave up 15 entirely preventable points per outing during the 2016-17 regular season.

If you’re wondering why Alan Williams would fit, look no further than the impact he would have on the Knicks’ defensive rebounding.

Williams finished 2016-17 with averages of 4.2 defensive rebounds per game and 10.1 defensive rebounds per 36 minutes. The latter mark ranked No. 6 in the NBA behind just Andre Drummond, DeAndre Jordan, Hassan Whiteside, Tyson Chandler, and Dwight Howard.

By adding Williams to the rotation, the Knicks would be getting a big man who can dominate the defensive glass—something that no one else on the roster currently does.