Three intriguing point guards options will be available this summer, yet who should the New York Knicks prioritize between established All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker, as well as the drafts top guard Ja Morant?
The New York Knicks are going into the upcoming summer hoping to win big in both the draft and free agency. The point guard position has long been an area of weakness for the team, and they have been linked to many of the top available options. Yet hypothetically, if the Knicks have their pick between the premier point guards in this year’s free agency, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker, as well as the draft class’ top point guard prospect, Ja Morant, who should the team choose?
Irving may have played his final game in Boston, and Knicks fans have clamored over the possibility of Irving choosing to play his future home games in a different garden next season. A New Jersey native who seems to thrive on the biggest stages, the Knicks could provide Irving with an opportunity to be a hometown hero.
Uncle Drew has quite a history as an individual who has difficulty fitting into a locker room, and his leadership has regularly come into question. Quite honestly, Irving has developed a troubling reputation as being a player more focused on individual gratification as opposed to team success.
While signing a potential locker room problem to a team lacking veteran leadership appears problematic, is it widely believed that Irving’s arrival in New York would provide additional reassurance to fellow free agent Kevin Durant. The duo has been linked throughout the season, and pairing the two would undoubtedly return the Knicks to relevancy within the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Signing Irving is worth the risk if he enters the team’s offense as Durant’s sidekick, but relying on Irving as the team’s lone leader offensively would ensure future mediocracy.
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Kemba Walker’s departure from the Charlotte Hornets is both necessary for the franchise, as well as their franchise player. The Hornets have failed to provide Walker with the complementary pieces necessary to become a contender, and committing long term money to Walker in the future would simply be holding off on an inevitable rebuild. The former UConn star shares tri-state ties with Irving, and a return to New York would provide Walker with a big market stage to demonstrate his worldly scoring ability.
The two key differences between Irving and Walker are in their attitude, as well as their playmaking ability. Walker could serve as an ideal role model for a young team, as he has proved to be the rare star who puts his team’s success above all. While his positive attitude is attractive, Walker lacks the playmaking ability to assist younger teammates in improving their offensive repertoire. The Knicks could use a leader similar to Walker, but the salary he will likely command is not a worthy commitment for a player who struggles to set up teammates, as well as hold his ground defensively.
While free agents are the Knicks greatest chance at a big name, the most attractive potential Knicks point guard may be in the draft. The transition from The Ohio Valley League to the most famous arena in the world may be quite an intimidating proposition, but Ja Morant, a self-described “point god,” has the potential to lead the Knicks to eventual greatness. Morant’s time at Murray State was defined by supernatural athleticism and a work ethic that proved capable of bringing relevancy to the widely unknown Racer’s program. Morant is a winner, and his desire to succeed would instantly make him a fan favorite among the New York faithful.
I’m sure everyone is well aware of what selecting a point guard from this year’s draft class means: Zion Williamson will not don the orange and blue next season. While there is still optimism that Patrick Ewing can pull of a frozen envelope incident similar to the event that originally landed him in New York, Morant is far from a disappointing consolation prize if the team’s dreadful season fails to reward them the top selection.
Finding a player capable of manning the most important position in today’s NBA is difficult, and it is why the Knicks must be cautious in finding an answer to the revolving door of floor generals they have experimented with. The team’s plan is obviously dependent on next week’s draft lottery, as the team will likely only consider selecting Morant if they fall from the top overall selection.
The Knicks have a chance to force themselves into the conversation of legitimate contenders next season, and that opportunity is worth dropping a max offer sheet on Irving. If the Knicks are truly all in on exchanging the team’s marketability for brand name stars, Irving’s journey for a purpose will lead him to New York. Yet if the Knicks are on the clock behind Cleveland, Phoenix, or any of the League’s other bottom feeders, Morant should be the team’s pick.