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Knicks Rumors: Pros and cons of pursuing Christian Wood in free agency

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in action against Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in action against Taj Gibson #67 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 08, 2020 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 96-84. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 28, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pistons defeated the Suns 113-111. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 28, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pistons defeated the Suns 113-111. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Pro: Three-Point Shooting

The New York Knicks made a concerted effort to become a better three-point shooting team in 2019-20 than they were in 2018-19. General manager Scott Perry signed sharpshooting veterans Reggie Bullock and Wayne Ellington, as well as borderline sharpshooter Marcus Morris.

Unfortunately, the Knicks rank dead last in the NBA in three-point field goals made and 27th in three-point field goal percentage through 66 games.

Christian Wood wouldn’t single-handedly rectify that issue, but he could offer a massive step in the right direction. Wood, a career 36.8 percent shooter from beyond the arc, is converting 38.6 percent of his attempts during the 2019-20 season.

That’s in line with the book that’s been written since his college days, which implies that his established consistency and efficiency could even improve with repetition.

The value to the Knicks would be in the form of what Wood’s ability to space the floor would offer to the interior-based players. Julius Randle may be a better scorer and playmaker off the bounce than Wood, but he isn’t exactly an effective three-point shooter—see: 27.7 percent.

By inserting Wood into the rotation, the Knicks would have spacing from the 4-spot that would allow the current players on the roster to execute a style that better suits their game.

That includes the creation of driving lanes for RJ Barrett and more space for Mitchell Robinson to operate inside.

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