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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) /
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors shoots and scores a three-point basket against Garrett Temple #17 of the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 23, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

Knicks Starting Shooting Guard: Fred VanVleet

This is where things get interesting. It would seem logical for the Knicks to either trade for Paul or simply sign Fred VanVleet, but not acquire both. Putting the two in the same backcourt would give New York one of the smallest guard duos in the league. However, that isn’t something that would be new to either player.

VanVleet is used to playing off the ball next to Kyle Lowry in Toronto. The two played over 2,000 possessions together this past season and Toronto was 4.8 points per possession better for it.

Meanwhile, Paul played most of his minutes with the taller Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City. But when he did play in a smaller backcourt lineup next to Dennis Schroder, the results were positive: in over 2,000 possessions, the Thunder had a 15.4 net rating when they shared the floor.

Tom Thibodeau could mix his lineups so Paul and VanVleet stagger their minutes with one playing as the lead guard for the second unit while the other gains extra rest. There are plenty of creative ways to pull out the strengths of each player.

While neither are lethal three-point shooters, they both shoot a high enough volume of threes to keep defenses honest, something lacking in New York’s offense last season. VanVleet shot 44 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2019-20. Imagine Paul driving to the hoop and kicking it out for his backcourt mate to knock down a three, or draw in a closing defender to attack the rim himself? The Knicks could finally have a dynamic offensive backcourt.

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