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New York Knicks: 3 options to fix the point guard problem

By Jeffrey Bellone

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 06: Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the New York Knicks 126-103. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 06: Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the New York Knicks 126-103. 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 Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. Oklahoma City Thunder defeats the New York Knicks 126-103. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Where should the New York Knicks look to solve their point guard problems?

After the longest offseason in team history, the New York Knicks find themselves exactly where everyone worried they would be: searching for an answer at the point guard position.

While rookie Immanuel Quickley has given fans hope from his impressive preseason play, a glaring need remains on a roster that is constructed in such a way that a lead ballhandler who can shoot is paramount to their success. Quickley can’t play all 48 minutes when he returns from injury.

Wherever the Knicks finish in the standings (likely toward the bottom), their 2020-21 campaign will be judged on the development of their young players. And since both Mitchell Robinson and RJ Barrett bring non-shooting attributes to the lineup, it is essential to surround them with players who can swish a long-distance jumpshot, something the Knicks haven’t been able to do over multiple regimes.

The players who you would call traditional point guards on the Knicks roster don’t have much of a track record knocking down perimeter shots: from Elfrid Payton (career 28.9% three-point shooter) to Dennis Smith Jr. (career 31.3%) to Frank Ntilikina, if you like him on the ball (career 30.9%).

As Payton bricks another three-pointer, what can team president Leon Rose do to improve the point guard situation? Let’s take a look at a few different options.

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