Former Knicks lottery pick granted opportunity with Blazers sitting Damian Lillard

After being out for nearly a week with a calf injury, Chris Haynes reported on Tuesday that Damian Lillard would remain sidelined for the rest of the season. With the Trail Blazers out of the play-in race in the West, the star guard won’t take the court again until 2023-24.

Cam Reddish and Ryan Arcidiacono were sent to Portland as part of the trade that brought Josh Hart to the New York Knicks. Reddish is a former lottery pick that has the potential but wasn’t given the role that he wanted with the Knicks while Arcidiacono and Svi Mykhailiuk were both added as filler in the deal. Shams Charania reported on Saturday, Apr. 1 that the Trail Blazers were waiving Arcidiacono.

Ironically enough, Kevin Knox (who the Knicks traded to the Hawks for Reddish) was sent to Portland as well ahead of the deadline. Although New York didn’t draft Reddish, there are now two former lottery picks that once played for the Knicks that are suiting up for the Trail Blazers.

Portland has been eliminated from playoff contention, so there isn’t a need for the team to try to be competitive to close out the season. Therefore, the Trail Blazers have turned to giving players like Knox more playing time as the regular season draws to an end.

Former Knicks lottery pick Kevin Knox standing out for Blazers as regular season ends

Similar to Reddish, Knox is still trying to find his footing in the league. Since being traded by the Knicks, he’s spent time with the Hawks, Pistons, and now the Trail Blazers. He’s averaging 5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from the field in 16 games. In five of Portland’s last seven games, Knox has scored in double figures.

The 23-year-old signed a two-year, $6 million deal in free agency with Detroit. He’s making $3 million this season and has a $3 million club option for 2023-24. The Trail Blazers will have a lot of decisions to make during the offseason, especially when it comes to Dame. After being drafted No. 9 overall five years ago, Knox is fighting to remain on an NBA roster.

While many fans have already turned their attention away from Portland, Knox has the opportunity to showcase his skills before the Blazers’ season comes to a close on Apr. 9. In retrospect, New York should’ve gone in a different direction in the 2018 NBA Draft, but Knicks fans should still want to see Knox succeed.

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