Daily Knicks
Fansided

NY Knicks: Projecting the roster with Chris Paul and Fred VanVleet

By Jeffrey Bellone

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during a preseason game at Staples Center on October 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers is guarded by Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors during a preseason game at Staples Center on October 5, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 9
Next
Knicks
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Chris Paul #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at the Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Knicks Starting Point Guard: Chris Paul

We will start with Paul. By acquiring the future Hall-of-Famer, the Knicks would finally give themselves stability and credibility at the point guard position, something they have been searching for since Stephon Marbury played for his home team, a situation that turned into anything but stable.

While Paul is at the tail end of his career, he still has gas left in the tank, as he proved this past season in leading the Thunder to a 44-win regular season and Western Conference playoff appearance. Playing for a team that was clearly not ready to compete for a championship, Paul proved he can remain motivated and provide leadership to the younger guns on the roster.

The Knicks are hoping their cornerstone players in RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson take a positive step forward in their development path next season. Adding a playmaker like Paul would only help them reach that goal. He would take ball-handling pressure off Barrett and provide a pick-and-roll partner for Robinson.

While there are obvious concerns about the longevity of Paul as a point guard solution, his contract is set to expire after the 2021-22 season, so if he can give at least one healthy campaign to the Knicks, perhaps they move him as an expiring contract before Father Time catches up to him in the final year of his deal.

Home/Knicks News