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New York Knicks: Five reasons to love the Nigel Hayes signing

By Maxwell Ogden

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Nigel Hayes #10 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks on after scoring against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half in the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 11: Nigel Hayes #10 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks on after scoring against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half in the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Verizon Center on March 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 26: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball as Nigel Hayes #10 of the Wisconsin Badgers defends during the second half at the Breslin Center on February 26, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 26: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball as Nigel Hayes #10 of the Wisconsin Badgers defends during the second half at the Breslin Center on February 26, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Defensive Potential

Head coach Jeff Hornacek plans to have the New York Knicks committed to defense during the 2017-18 NBA season. Following what was nothing short of a dreadful defensive season in 2016-17, Hornacek has committed to righting the ship.

Nigel Hayes may or may not become a high-level defensive player, but the potential exists for him to be able to defend all three front-court positions.

For as many hybrid forwards as there are in the modern NBA, it’s still rare to find a player who can consistently defend both the 3 and the 4. Said players are of significant value in an era that’s been mislabeled as a point guard driven league.

Point guards are of extreme importance, but it’s the small forwards and power forwards who seem to be determining the trajectory of the Association.

In Hayes, the Knicks have a player who has the raw tools to defend multiple positions at a high level. It’s more upside than anything else, like most of the strengths working in his favor, but Hayes is built to be a defensive anchor.

If he’s willing to check his ego at the door and accept the need to defend on a nightly basis, Hayes could be a valuable offseason pickup.

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If all else fails, then the New York Knicks will have made a low-risk investment in a promising young talent with his full career ahead of him.