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New York Knicks: The Ballad of Kevin Knox II

By Christian Kim

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Kevin Knox poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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, NY - JUNE 21: Kevin Knox poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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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NY Knicks, Kevin Knox. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

New York Knicks: Kevin Knox’s year 2 & 3

Kevin Knox continued to struggle with coach Fizdale as well as interim head coach Mike Miller. While he played all but one game in the shortened 2019-20 season, he gradually found his minutes and role decreasing.

Marcus Morris took most of Knox’s minutes and with the limited playing time, Knox was not featured on offense. He was relegated to a perimeter shooting role yet Knox had a hard time making the basket. His playing remained inconsistent the entire year and ended up battling Reggie Bullock and RJ Barrett even after the Knicks traded Marcus Morris. He finished the season averaging 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists shooting .359/.327/.653.

Year 3 was the make-or-break year for Kevin Knox. The New York Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau as the next head coach who was well known for his focus on defense. Kevin’s lack of defense was a concern since draft day but his physical length gave hope to an improved defensive effort. By year 3, it was pretty apparent that Knox had to interest in playing defense.

He shot a career-high of .393 from the perimeter yet his lack of intensity on the defensive end did not afford him any playing time under Tom Thibodeau. Knox looked to be in great shape throughout the season but he level of play had fallen so behind of the rotation of the 2020-21 Knicks. He ended this prior season averaging 3.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists shooting .392/.393/.800

Kevin Knox is still only 22 and will enter the 4th year of his NBA career. With Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock hitting free agency, there can be a redemption year for Knox to earn himself an extension with the Knicks. But until he makes the drastic improvements on the defensive end, we can only assume that Tom Thibodeau will not give that opportunity.

Grading the draft pick: Quentin Grimes. dark. Next