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New York Knicks: The Quarter-Year Awards for 2019-20

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Taurean Prince #2 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on as Marcus Morris Sr. #13, Julius Randle #30 and Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks react to a call during the second half of their game at Barclays Center on October 25, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: Taurean Prince #2 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on as Marcus Morris Sr. #13, Julius Randle #30 and Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks react to a call during the second half of their game at Barclays Center on October 25, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Welcome to the quarter-year awards for the New York Knicks in 2019-20.

Welcome to the Quarter-Year Awards for the New York Knicks, where the good hardly stands out and the bad overwhelms. Yes, that somewhat summarizes the first 21 games of the season from a 4-17 team. Few things have gone properly, while everything else has spontaneously combusted since opening night.

To highlight everything, Daily Knicks created the Quarter-Year Awards. Follow along as the categories are unveiled and the winners are announced:

Best Free Agent Signing: Marcus Morris

With a bigger role, Marcus Morris‘ numbers have ascended as a full-time starter for the New York Knicks, averaging 18.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on 52.4 percent from behind the arc. He’s not an overall difference-maker for this team, given the 4-17 record, but for veteran stability and some sort of presence at the wing, this is fine enough.

Morris’ $15 million doesn’t make him a bargain signing, even on just a one-year contract. He offers stability, though, and could become a trade candidate if the Knicks choose to make transactions after Dec. 15, when teams can move their free agent signings from the most recent offseason.

Honorary Mention: Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson has become a surprise starter at center, taking over when Mitchell Robinson suffered a concussion in November. His numbers are not stellar, but the Knicks have received steady production in a limited role. For a contract that can end after the season, they could do worse.

Most Disappointing Free Agent Signing: Julius Randle

$62.3 million — not all guaranteed — looks like an awful lot for Julius Randle, who has struggled shooting, handling the ball and on defense. He averages 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, sure, but on 44.9 percent shooting, a paltry 25 percent on three-pointers and just 66.7 percent on free throws.

The Knicks paid Randle to be a centerpiece, but he is better suited for a supporting role. Taking a lead distributing role proved to be too much from opening night and the career-high 21.4 points per game in 2018-19 may have been a fluke, especially on a depleted Pelicans roster.

Randle can still turn this around, but almost six weeks into the season, he’s been a disappointment,

Honorary Mention: Wayne Ellington

There are a handful of candidates for the “Honorary Mention,” but Wayne Ellington sticks out for his 32.1 percent shooting, 30.9 percent on three-pointers and 4.7 points per game. He has four “DNP-CDs” and played a combined 11 seconds in two other games, but coach David Fizdale has still opted to play the veteran shooting guard over Allonzo Trier. The $8 million salary probably factors.

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