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3 Knicks that should play more, 2 that should play less

By Josh Cornelissen

Mar 11, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (right) reacts with forward RJ Barrett (9) after a basket during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (right) reacts with forward RJ Barrett (9) after a basket during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks, Miles McBride
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 25: Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks reacts after hitting a three point shot during the second half against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on March 25, 2022 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Miles McBride should play more

Right off the bat, we’re going to see the difficulty with this exercise. The Knicks are loaded with talented backcourt players, and they are comparatively thin in the frontcourt. We’ll get more into that as we go. For now, though, despite the logjam at guard, the Knicks need to find a way to get Miles McBride minutes.

The Knicks took McBride with the 36th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft; the former West Virginia point guard was seen as a first-round pick by many draft analysts, and they have been proven right by McBride’s play in limited minutes thus far in his career.

McBride has a solid handle, quick hands and a dogged defensive presence. The swing skill for McBride was his shooting, but while he hit under 30 percent from deep in the NBA last year he has hit well over 40 percent of his 3-pointers in limited minutes in the G League. When he has played with the Westchester Knicks he has been “too good” for the G League, averaging over 26 points per game in 13 appearances over the last two years.

He played consistently but sparingly for the New York Knicks last year, appearing in 64 games but averaging just 11.9 minutes per game. He averaged 1.8 steals per 36 minutes as a ball hawk and his defensive impact was felt even if his offensive game is still coming along.

If the Knicks end up trading Immanuel Quickley for any reason, McBride looks capable of stepping into a larger role. His defensive chops give him a situational path to minutes in certain situations, but the Knicks should think through ways to get him on the floor.

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