The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in signing free agent point guard Shelvin Mack. What would the pros and cons of that signing be?
The worst kept secret in the NBA is that the New York Knicks are attempting to find a point guard to pair with Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina was selected at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, but there’s a working theory that he’s a year or two away from being a full-time starter.
As the Knicks allow the more cost-inefficient options to be scooped up by other organizations, one name continues to surface in rumors: Shelvin Mack.
Mack, 27, is six years into his journeyman NBA career. Following stints with the Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and Utah Jazz, Mack is poised to find a rare sense of stability via free agency.
According to Jeff Goodman of ESPN Insider, the Knicks have expressed interest in Mack as a potential fix at the point guard position.
"Knicks have expressed interest in free agent point guard Shelvin Mack, source told ESPN."
The longstanding interest is reason to believe that general manager Steve Mills is doing his due diligence on Mack.
Mack is the least prolific of the rumored options in free agency, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s of no value. Instead, he’s a player who offers legitimate reason for intrigue as a short-term answer at the point guard position.
The question is: What would the pros and cons be of the New York Knicks signing Shelvin Mack over the remaining options in free agency?
Pro: Affordability
The harsh reality that New York Knicks fans must accept is that most free agent point guards will command hefty salaries. They may not be max contracts, but with roughly $30 million per season divvied up between Courtney Lee and Joakim Noah, the Knicks have limited flexibility.
Although he offers quality contributions on the court, it’s the potential affordability of signing Shelvin Mack that’s most appealing.
New York expressed interest in Jeff Teague, who signed a three-year deal worth $57 million with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It expressed interest in George Hill, who signed a three-year deal worth $57 million with the Sacramento Kings.
It expressed interest in Jrue Holiday, who signed a massive five-year contract worth $126 million with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rather than paying $19 million or more per season for one of three players with a combined two All-Star Game appearances, New York remained patient. That may backfire from a pure talent perspective, but it was a wise decision when one focuses strictly on talent.
Considering Patty Mills signed a four-year, $50 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks should be able to sign Mack for even less—in length and cost.
Con: Inconsistent Jump Shot
Shelvin Mack has proven capable of knocking down the 3-ball. Capability and consistency are two separate topics, however, and the latter is something that Mack has yet to develop during his six-year NBA career.
Mack is a better 3-point shooter than Derrick Rose, which should be a relief to New York Knicks fans, but that’s not saying much.
Mack is a career 32.1 percent 3-point shooter, which is an underwhelming mark—especially in the modern era. He boasts a career average of 0.6 3-point field goals made per game, as well as 1.3 3-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
With said marks hanging over his head, Mack’s inability to consistently convert from beyond the arc is an issue to take note of.
The New York Knicks don’t necessarily need an elite 3-point shooter at the point guard position. For instance: Eric Bledsoe averaged 1.2 3-point field goals made on 35.7 percent shooting during Phoenix’s 48-win 2013-14 season under Jeff Hornacek.
Unless Mack becomes as proficient on the drive as Bledsoe, however, his inability to consistently space the floor could be a damaging flaw.
Pro: Playmaking Ability
Shelvin Mack can play out of control when he’s given the playing time to consistently attack opposing defenses. He can also create in brief spurts, which is likely what he’d be asked to do with Frank Ntilikina on the roster.
With a structured offensive system that projects to favor guards, Mack could come into his own with the New York Knicks.
Mack possesses career averages of 13.0 points and 6.0 assists to 2.5 turnovers per 36 minutes. That includes the 15.2 points and 6.4 assists per 36 minutes that Mack averaged during his career-year in 2015-16.
With a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.39, Mack can be trusted to create for his teammates without committing a high number of assists—optimistically.
A negative note is that Mack’s 6.4 assists per 36 minutes in 2015-16 were balanced by an average of 3.2 turnovers per 36 minutes. That’s not an egregious mark—especially in the modern NBA—but it’s one that could be cut down.
Nevertheless, Mack is a fiercely competitive player who trusts his teammates and does a solid job of setting his teammates up offensively.
Con: Defensive Fundamentals
The New York Knicks need a point guard who can defend at a high level, which was the primary reason for the selection of Frank Ntilikina at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. In signing Shelvin Mack, however, the Knicks would be taking a slight step backwards.
Although Mack’s level of intensity may be commendable, his execution on the defensive end of the floor leaves something to be desired.
It’s necessary to acknowledge that Mack is respected as a player whose effort and intensity won’t be questioned on defense. Effort is ideal, but it’s not the only aspect of defensive execution that’s necessary for consistency.
Tenacity would be appealing to a Knicks team that lacked anything close to a consistent level of energy or intensity in 2016-17, but execution is equally as important.
True as that may be, Mack gets too high on defense and often lacks the balance necessary to stay in front of his man. He may be a pest on the defensive end of the floor, but players with mental fortitude will still find ways to exploit his stance.
Mack’s defensive inconsistencies can be coached, but if Quin Snyder couldn’t help him, it’s fair to question if any coach can.
Pro: Fitting The System
Shelvin Mack is the type of player whom Jeff Hornacek could help find their identity in the NBA. He’s not the best 3-point shooter, but he has a solid offensive skill set and would benefit from playing in a system that caters to his strengths.
With Hornacek emphasizing penetration, ball movement, and player movement, Mack’s selfish approach to the game could help him flourish in New York.
The caveat here is that there’s no guaranteeing Hornacek will run the same system with the New York Knicks that he did with the Phoenix Suns. If it’s even somewhat comparable, however, Mack would be playing in a system that fits his game.
Mack does a respectable job of using high screens to create offense for himself and others, and Hornacek sends screens to his guards like clockwork.
Mack’s midrange game, as well as his proficiency as a passer, would enable him to thrive under Hornacek. He could come off of screens and convert from 16-to-24 feet, and has the accuracy behind his passes to find a player on the dive or off of a fade to the 3-point line.
New York may have had eyes for more prolific point guards, but Mack checks the boxes of what it takes to be an NBA-caliber point guard.
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With head coach Jeff Hornacek, Shelvin Mack could emerge as a steal of a potential signing for the New York Knicks.