1. Complementing Kristaps Porzingis
Every pondered decision from hereon out will require a question to be answered: “How does it help Kristaps Porzingis?” In this trade, the New York Knicks have acquired a small forward with stretch 4 potential who could ideally complement Porzingis.
If the goal is to surround Porzingis with the personnel to make his job easier, then the acquisition of McDermott checks that box.
As an efficient three-point shooter, McDermott can provide the spacing New York needs in order to get Porzingis efficient looks at the basket. Porzingis will have more room to attack from the post, and the Knicks will run the pick and roll with far more efficiency.
The fact that McDermott can also go to the post, attack a closeout, and move without the ball means Porzingis will need to work less as those around him adapt to his strengths and weaknesses.
There could be situations where Porzingis plays the 5 and McDermott joins him in supreme floor-spacing efforts at the 4. There could also be lineups where McDermott is at the 3 as the Knicks attempt to go big while still hurting teams with the three-ball.
Regardless of what head coach Jeff Hornacek draws up, McDermott and Porzingis have the potential to give opposing defenses trouble.
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Doug McDermott is still in the process of finding his niche, but the New York Knicks could provide him with the perfect opportunity to do so.