New York Knicks: Pros and Cons of potentially trading for Ryan Anderson

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MAY 9: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the San Antonio Spurs fights for the position against James Harden #13 and Ryan Anderson #3 of the Houston Rockets during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Con: Defensive Inconsistency

For as prolific as Ryan Anderson is as a shooter, he’s equally as underwhelming on the defensive end of the floor. He lacks the necessary level of athleticism to adequately defend stretch 4s, and has limited value as a defensive rebounder or rim protector.

The New York Knicks could help cover for his flaws with Kristaps Porzingis at the 5, but it’s fair to question whether KP is physically ready to play the 5.

Anderson finished the 2016-17 NBA regular season at No. 57 amongst power forwards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus at -0.12. That looks even worse when one considers that 52 power forwards recorded a positive Defensive RPM last season.

Beyond the advanced metrics, Anderson has developed a reputation around the NBA for being an underwhelming individual defender.

Anderson boasts career averages of 3.6 defensive rebounds per game and 4.6 defensive rebounds per 36 minutes. He’s a virtual non-factor as a shot-blocker at 0.5 blocks per 36 minutes, and has a somewhat outdated strength as a somewhat respectable post defender.

Anderson isn’t going to bring a defense down with his individual flaws, but he’s a below-average player on that end of the floor.

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