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New York Knicks: Five reasons to love the Kevin Knox pick

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Kevin Knox speaks with media after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Kevin Knox speaks with media after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: F Kevin Knox (5) of the Kentucky Wildcats guards G Jordan Watkins (3) of the Davidson Wildcats during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship First Round game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Davidson Wildcats on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 15: F Kevin Knox (5) of the Kentucky Wildcats guards G Jordan Watkins (3) of the Davidson Wildcats during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship First Round game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Davidson Wildcats on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Defensive Upside

The New York Knicks needed nothing more than a prospect who has the ability to consistently defend at a high level. As teams move towards more of a positionless style, that made one word ring louder than any other on the defensive end of the floor: Versatility.

Kevin Knox will need to prove his toughness on defense, but he has the physical gifts—and a solid amount of film—to suggest he’ll be a versatile defender.

As previously discussed, Knox has elite physical measurements for a 3 and prototypical marks for a 4. He also has the potential to be able to rotate onto centers once his body fills out, as well as the agility to hold his own against guards on switches against the pick and roll.

The term 1-to-5 is severely over-utilized in the NBA, but Knox has the versatility to switch and defend without much concern about which position he’s matching up with.

As far as his playmaking is concerned, Knox can impose his will on the passing lanes when he’s dialed in. His toughness and focus have been questioned, but David Fizdale seems to believe he can find the spark within the former Kentucky star.

If Knox remains focused and energized in the NBA, he and Frank Ntilikina could enable Kristaps Porzingis to focus more on protecting the rim, thus truly anchoring the defense.

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