NY Knicks: Grading every Steve Mills transaction, Part 1

Signed Luke Kornet

GRADE: B

The first official order of business with Steve Mills as team president was signing lanky, sharp-shooter Luke Kornet to a two-way contract on July 3, 2017.

After playing four years in the SEC with Vanderbilt, Kornet had gone undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft. He joined the Knicks for Summer League that year, and in five games, struggled from the field, shooting 27% (10-37), but hidden in those numbers was an effective long-range game (9-24 from three), and eight blocks.

Ironically, Kornet was sort of a baby Porzingis in the unique skillset he offered as a seven-footer who could knock down a three, while also blocking your shot. Kornet made his NBA debut with the Knicks the following February, and became the first player to make at least three three-pointers and block at least four shots in their debut.

One year later, in 2018, he signed an NBA contract with the Knicks. Caught behind Enes Kanter in the rotation, fans often wanted to see him play more often to allow the team to stretch the floor, and give the interior defense a fighting chance. However, once he finally was featured in the lineup, teams took advantage of his slow foot speed while pulling him out of the paint in high pick-and-rolls. The Knicks used a zone defense to occasionally combat this.

From a two-way contract to an NBA player, this was a good signing. Kornet eventually joined the Bulls as a free agent after averaging 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 66 games in New York.