Knicks Roster: Mount ‘Em, Keep ‘Em, or Throw ‘Em Back

Knicks: Mount ‘Em, Keep ‘Em, or Throw ‘Em Back: The Deep Bench

Frank Ntilikina

Let’s start with a divisive one right off the top. He has engendered loyalty from a huge segment of the Knicks’ fanbase that his play does not necessarily warrant.

We think. It’s hard to honestly know.

Ntilikina has logged limited minutes this season, but he has made the most of that time. He has posted a defensive points saved of 4.49 per NBA Math, which is a top-five figure on the team.

But that’s what’s so baffling about his lack of minutes. How is it that such a high-level defender has sunk to the bottom of a Tom Thibodeau bench? Had it not been for Elfrid Payton’s injury, my gut says we wouldn’t have gotten to see that strong performance against the Kings.

I’m honestly not even sure what his trade market might even look like.

He’s the biggest enigma on the roster, which is why it is worth collecting some additional data on him. Decision:  Keep ‘Em

Taj Gibson

Recency bias will come into play big time with Taj Gibson.

If I had done this exact same exercise a month ago, I would have come up with a completely different answer for him, but circumstances have dictated otherwise.

Much like Ntilikina, Gibson is a major plus on the defensive side of the ball (3.88 DPS). Unlike Ntilikina, Thibodeau clearly trusts him, and Gibson has repaid that trust with productive basketball. His defensive effort was a key component of the win over the Timberwolves on February 21st.

Simply put, he’s a cheap reliable veteran big. I wouldn’t actively shop him, but if a title-contender really ponied up, I’d listen. Decision:  Keep ‘Em

Kevin Knox

Knox has logged more minutes than Gibson or Ntilikina, and I think the front office has enough data collected on who he is as a player.

There are definitely bright spots to his game. Per Basketball-Reference, Knox is having the best season of his career in both three-point shooting percentage and effective field goal percentage, but his offensive game feels limited for a former lottery pick now in this third season.

Knox is even more of a liability on the defensive end of the floor.

But the saddest thing for Knox is that he seems to be the one Kentucky player that Kenny Payne couldn’t save. Get what you can for him. Decision:  Throw ‘Em Back

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers is having a reverse Taj Gibson kind of season. He was the absolute fan favorite of the early offseason media days, dropping Knick love bomb after Knick love bomb.

His early-season on-court play grew the love even further. (Seriously, remember Quivers? People have that on shirts.)

He also played one of the most insane halves of basketball I’ve ever seen on January 26th against the Jazz. That was only a month ago.

Since then, the bottom has dropped out. His minutes have been slashed and he appears to be playing like someone who is stuck in their own head. He’s even expressed that he sees the writing on the wall.

He seems to still love the idea of playing in New York, but those days might be numbered. Decision:  Throw ‘Em Back