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NY Knicks: Top 10 point guards from the past decade

By Christian Kim

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Immanuel Quickley #5 and Derrick Rose #4 of the New York Knicks argue against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at American Airlines Arena on February 09, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Immanuel Quickley #5 and Derrick Rose #4 of the New York Knicks argue against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at American Airlines Arena on February 09, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Jose Calderon
Jose Calderon, New York Knicks. (Photo by Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports) /

The New York Knicks have had a long history of experiments at the point guard position. There was Phil Jackson’s fascination with our beloved French international player Frank Ntilikina. Or the failed career revivals of former lottery picks like Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Dennis Smith Jr.

There were the “he looks good but that might just be Mike D’Antoni’s system” players like Chris Duhon or Raymond Felton. The list goes on and on but it’s hard to deny… the Knicks have not had much stability at the point guard position.

The top 10 New York Knicks point guards from the past 10 years

While it may be a bit regressive to open up old wounds, let’s take some time to review the top 10 point guards from the past decade.

10: Jose Calderon (2014-16)

Jose Calderon was at one time one of the best passers in the NBA. He was also known for having a very high free-throw percentage. Calderon was a long-time point guard for the Toronto Raptors and by the time Calderon was traded to the Knicks from the Mavericks, he was into his 30s and past his prime.

Defensively, he was a turnstile but he was able to move the ball and provide some outside shooting. But there just wasn’t enough talent on the roster to do much. He averaged 9.1/2.4/4.7 in his first season in New York. He was later traded to the Bulls in a trade package for Derrick Rose.

9: Dennis Smith Jr. (2018-2021)

Dennis Smith Jr. was a strange case in the NBA and it was an even stranger story that he ended up on the Knicks. He was selected No. 9 overall in 2017 by Dallas, right after Ntilikina was selected by New York.

LeBron James went out of his way to say that Smith should’ve been drafted over Ntilikina. Thanks to LeBron, the Knicks were given this gem.

It seems like Smith was purposely ousted by Rick Carlisle, who forced a false narrative of his supposed “jealousy” of Luka Doncic. Smith had a decent finish to the NBA season when he was traded to the Knicks with the Porzingis trade.

He averaged 14.7/2.8/5.4 to finish out the year but New York wasn’t winning much. He stuck around for the next couple of seasons but was either injured or lacked any resemblance of confidence in his game.