New York Knicks: Kevin Knox deserves more consideration
The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in selecting a wing at the 2018 NBA Draft. Kevin Knox is a prospect who deserves more consideration.
The New York Knicks are closing in on an event that will define the Scott Perry era as general manager. The 2018 NBA Draft may not feature a James Harden or LeBron James at shooting guard or small forward, but it undoubtedly includes prospects who can fill the void along the wings.
While Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, and Lonnie Walker IV have garnered headlines, Kentucky Wildcats forward Kevin Knox isn’t receiving as much attention as he should.
With a core of Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks could realistically check boxes at three of the five positions. It will be crucial for New York to find the ideal player to round out the perimeter, however, namely on the defensive end of the floor.
While Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, and Walker could all help in that regard, it may be Knox who has the highest ceiling of all.
Knox, 18, is one of the youngest prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s a hybrid forward who played both the 3 and the 4 for John Calipari, and seemed to wear an infinite number of hats on both ends of the floor.
That type of defensive versatility is one of the primary traits that the Knicks have been searching for at the small forward position.
It’s likely why the Knicks have expressed interest in Knox as a prospect.
Knox impressed at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine, checking in at 6’9″ in height and 212.6 pounds. He also posted marks of 6’11.75″ in wingspan and 9’0″ in standing reach, thus rounding out his prototypical measurements for a forward.
Not only is Knox capable of providing the ideal combination of size, length, and athleticism at small forward, but he can do the same at the 4 spot.
That type of versatility will be crucial for the future of the Knicks, as they must find players who can defend stretch bigs to help Porzingis remain in the paint. New York must also make it a point to complement Ntilikina with another high-quality defensive wing.
With Ntilikina, Knox, and Porzingis on the court, the Knicks would have three starters who can defend multiple positions at a high level.
Offensively, Knox isn’t as good of a shooter as Mikal Bridges, nor the same caliber of slasher as Walker. He isn’t the pull-up scorer that Miles Bridges has become, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing as far as his draft stock is concerned.
Knox is younger than all three of those players, and already has the foundation in place for a complete offensive game.
Knox is a competent three-point shooter who can attack a closeout and finish at the rim. He’s also a skilled passer who can create for his teammates and a crafty scorer who’s just as likely to produce a floater or a step-back jump shot as he is to throw down a tenacious dunk.
A vast majority of Knox’s appeal is based on unrefined skill, but he’s a prospect whom the Knicks should look into developing into the star he can become.
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We’ll discuss Kevin Knox’s future as the 2018 NBA Draft nears, but the New York Knicks should be doing their homework on the player who could be Kentucky’s next pro-level star.