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New York Knicks: Five reasons to re-sign Isaiah Hicks

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 02: Isaiah Hicks #4 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 02: Isaiah Hicks #4 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 9: J.R. Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes the ball against Isaiah Hicks #4 of the New York Knicks during the game at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 9: J.R. Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes the ball against Isaiah Hicks #4 of the New York Knicks during the game at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

1. Defensive Potential

Nothing will matter more in 2018-19 than creating a defensive-minded culture. The New York Knicks have been abhorrent on that end of the floor for far too long, and have hired too many coaches with empty promises of fixing that flaw.

Isaiah Hicks may not win Defensive Player of the Year in 2018-19, but he can help New York make the transition to a defensive mentality.

Standing at 6’9″ and 242 pounds with a 7’1″ wingspan, Hicks is a player who can be slotted in at either the 4 or the 5. He has the physical tools to block a fair number of shots—see: 2.0 blocks per game in the G League, and 1.3 blocks per 40 minutes during his college career.

At the very least, that suggests he can help Kristaps Porzingis protect the rim—an at least employable trait for an up-and-coming big man.

The big question moving forward is whether or not Hicks will be able to defend stretch bigs and the pick and roll. If he proves capable of doing so, he could become one of the most valuable defensive players on the roster.

It can’t be stressed enough that Hicks is an unestablished player who’s more like clay than a statue to marvel, but that’s something the Knicks should appreciate.

Must Read: Five reasons to sign Mario Hezonja in free agency

The question is: Will Isaiah Hicks receive the opportunity to prove himself with the New York Knicks in 2018-19?