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New York Knicks: Comparing the two-way contract candidates

By Maxwell Ogden

GREENBURG, NY - JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
GREENBURG, NY - JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 17: Xavier Rathan-Mayes #22 of the Florida State Seminoles brings the ball up court against the Manhattan Jaspers during the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on December 17, 2016 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Florida State defeated Manhattan 83-67. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 17: Xavier Rathan-Mayes #22 of the Florida State Seminoles brings the ball up court against the Manhattan Jaspers during the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic on December 17, 2016 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Florida State defeated Manhattan 83-67. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Ball Distribution

The New York Knicks have a desperate need for players who can create offense for their teammates. All three players check that box here, but it’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes who best fills that void as the most natural facilitator signed.

Rathan-Mayes improved his assist-to-turnover ratio in each of his three collegiate seasons, including his average of 6.9 assists to just 2.7 turnovers per 40 minutes in 2016-17.

Either of the other two players could be ranked second here, but Jamel Artis gets the benefit of the doubt due to his perimeter capabilities. He averaged 4.0 assists per 40 minutes in 2015-16 and 3.9 assists per 40 minutes in 2016-17, and did so while balancing his status as a go-to scorer.

Despite playing a well-rounded offensive role, Artis rarely turned the ball over and consistently found ways to get his teammates involved.

Hayes is viewed as a high-post facilitator, but he’s a more well-rounded player than the stat-watchers give him credit for. He spent stretches bringing the ball up for the Wisconsin Badgers, which is the ultimate testament to his ability to get the offense going.

Artis and Hayes might as well be tied here, with Rathan-Mayes being the only player who holds a significant advantage as a facilitator.

Regardless of how you rank them, all three can create for others.

Rankings

  1. Xavier Rathan-Mayes
  2. Jamel Artis
  3. Nigel Hayes