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New York Knicks: Puma wants to make Kevin Knox its latest addition

By Rob Wolkenbrod

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks dribbles against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Puma returned to prominence in the NBA before June’s draft. Now, they want New York Knicks rookie Kevin Knox to join.

Kevin Knox will soon embark on his rookie season with the New York Knicks, with the draft and a highlight-reel summer league in the rearview mirror. Still, without Kristaps Porzingis and a young group in place, Knox has the chance to shine early and take a main role.

Part of Knox’s draft class joined Puma’s return to basketball before June’s selection show. Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns, Marvin Bagley III of the Sacramento Kings, Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets and Zhaire Smith of the Philadelphia 76ers all became sponsored by the long-time apparel company.

Knox did not take a sponsorship deal before or after the draft, but Puma expressed the desire for it to change, as its Twitter account posted Friday night for him to join the brand:

Knox has not responded to the tweet, but what if he does as the 2018-19 season nears?

Puma’s Twitter message for Knox was blunt and not something seen from an apparel company that wants an athlete. With social media, however, this can change and make the interest as direct as the above message.

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It’s the latest step towards notoriety for Knox in the Big Apple, as he set the summer league ablaze with a spot on the All-NBA Summer League First Team and 21.3 points per game, the fourth-highest average in July. Wendell Carter Jr., Josh Hart, Collin Sexton and Christian Wood were the other first-teamers.

If Knox can follow this up, he will find a way into the 2018-19 NBA Rookie of the Year conversation, especially if the Knicks miss their main scorer, Porzingis, for half the season. Competition exists for this, though, given what the fellow rookies flashed in the summer league and expectations for the lottery picks.

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Before that happens, let’s see if Knox follows through on Puma’s message and becomes the latest in its basketball revitalization. The company wants to strike gold on a fresh player, so will this be the next man up in the rookie pool?

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