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New York Knicks: Five reasons to love the Kadeem Allen signing

By Maxwell Ogden

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Kadeem Allen #45 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Kadeem Allen #45 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Allen Crabbe #33 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket past Kadeem Allen #45 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Allen Crabbe #33 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket past Kadeem Allen #45 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

2. Defensive Upside

If one were to list the weaknesses that plagued the New York Knicks in 2017-18, defensive inefficiency would be No. 1. Regardless of whom the Knicks were playing, hemorrhaging points seemed to be at the heart of the team’s identity—or lack thereof.

Kadeem Allen is an intriguing player on multiple levels, but it’s his defensive upside that likely intrigued Scott Perry and the Knicks more than anything else.

As previously alluded to, Allen has a strong 200-pound frame and a long 6’9″ wingspan. Those are undeniably intriguing assets on the defensive end of the floor, as the former Arizona standout can adequately body up slashers and close out on shooters.

What makes Allen one of the more intriguing players on the current roster, however, is the fact that he’s an absolute menace in the passing lanes

Allen averaged 1.6 steals per game as a sophomore at Arizona, and produced marks of 1.0 steal and 0.7 blocks per 36 minutes in 18 games with the Boston Celtics. He also finished the 2017-18 G League season with an average of 2.2 steals per game

Allen was named to the 2018 NBA G League All-Defensive Team for his efforts, and could be an asset to a Knicks team that ranked No. 25 in the NBA in points off of turnovers in 2017-18.