For years, New York Knicks were the punch line for many a basketball joke. However, the new-era Knicks have righted a dreadful, decade-long, trend. Seemingly overnight, the franchise went from perennial basement dwellers to contenders for the postseason.
After earning home-court advantage in their first round of the playoffs in 2021, the franchise is projected to have a 72% chance at returning to the postseason in 2022.
While the team seeks to improve, an early-season matchup against a sub-par Orlando Magic squad revealed a path toward a tangible upgrade: targeting veteran wing Terrence Ross via trade.
How would this affect the 2022 NY Knicks? Here are some key thoughts:
1) New York Knicks: Terrence Ross is a great 2-way player
This is a critical attribute for a team like the Knicks. On one side of the coin, Ross is a multifaceted scorer. The 10-year NBA veteran averaged 15.6 points on 41% shooting from the floor. This includes a 34% clip from three and 87% from the free-throw line.
He is a dangerous scorer from beyond the three-point line and a capable threat in the mid-range. While the former lottery pick is several years removed from his days as a Slam Dunk Contest champion (2013), he still has impressive athleticism that allows him to be a constant threat around the rim.
On the other side of the coin, Ross is an impactful defensive player. He has drawn praise for his defense from Magic writers during his time with the Magic.
His 6’6″ frame gives him length to bother opposing guards, while his all-world athleticism allows him to move his feet quickly. He has been particularly skilled at getting deflections.