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New York Knicks: 5 reasons to love the trade for Doug McDermott

By Maxwell Ogden

TORONTO, ONTARIO - March 16: Doug McDermott #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to pass the ball against the Toronto Raptors on March 16, 2017 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - March 16: Doug McDermott #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to pass the ball against the Toronto Raptors on March 16, 2017 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 14: Doug McDermott #11 of the Chicago Bulls moves against Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors at the United Center on February 14, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 14: Doug McDermott #11 of the Chicago Bulls moves against Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors at the United Center on February 14, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Offensive Versatility

The New York Knicks are preparing to run a system that will cater to the players’ strengths. Appealing as that may be, every great system features players who can contribute beyond the limitations of their primary strengths.

McDermott hasn’t yet realized his potential as an all-around contributor, but he has the raw skill to contribute in multiple phases.

McDermott’s primary strength is his jump shot, but he’s 6’8″ with a strong enough skill set to keep opposing defenses off balance. He has a solid post game, works well without the ball—running off of screens and working the baseline—and can finish at the rim on straight-line drives.

In a system that will permit him to not only space the floor, but attack closeouts, McDermott has a chance to put forth a productive 2017-18 campaign.

McDermott finished 2016-17 with averages of 9.0 points per game and 14.1 points per 36 minutes. He did so on a slash line of .447/.370/.845, which displays his ability to score at a respectable rate—something he did in loosely structured offenses.

If the versatility fails to develop into something wholesome, then McDermott will still have a borderline elite skill to fall back on.

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