4. Embracing Positionless Basketball
The New York Knicks selected former Kentucky Wildcats forward Kevin Knox with the No. 9 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft. Most have vocalized support of the move, albeit while questioning why the Knicks would pass on Michael Porter Jr.
If the goal is to put Knox in the best possible position to succeed, then signing a player like Mario Hezonja should help accomplish that very goal.
Knox has been pegged as a small forward, but he may actually prove to be more effective as a small-ball 4. He certainly has the physical gifts to thrive in that role, as he stands at 6’9″ with a near 7’0″ wingspan and a 9’0″ standing reach.
Whether Knox proves to be more of a 4 or a 3, it stands to reason that Hezonja could step in as his frontcourt complement—and not just his backup.
Kristaps Porzingis is more comfortable at power forward, but in the modern NBA, he may help the Knicks more at center. If he agrees to the position change, then Hezonja, who played 58 percent of his minutes at the 4 in 2017-18, could play alongside Knox instead of behind him.
Knox has the tools to be an All-Star, but the Knicks must know the limits to his versatility—and Hezonja can help New York establish the boundaries of his flexibility.