Last season, we saw a couple of Knicks come out of nowhere and be game-changers for the team. Without these players, New York would not have made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Entering the 2023-24 season, the roster looks a bit different, meaning fans could see some more underrated players show out once again. If so, the Knicks could potentially push even further into the playoffs than they did last season.
These three players were all solid in 2022-23. However, now, they can make the leap to genuine difference-makers. If this happens, expect a big season for New York in which they could potentially earn a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.
3 underrated Knicks who could make a big difference in 2023-24
3. Quentin Grimes
Most fans know just how impactful Quentin Grimes was for the Knicks last season. Entering 2023-24, though, there’s a chance fans will see the 23-year-old take yet another leap, but this time potentially into stardom. The odds of Grimes progressing into an actual All-Star are slim, but it seems he’s primed to take a big jump that could earn him some votes.
Unfortunately, a lot of this relies on Tom Thibodeau using Grimes more often in both the off-ball and with the rock in his hands. If Thibs does this for Grimes, there’s reason to believe that Grimes could make the jump from 11.3 PPG to anywhere from 15-20 PPG. When you combine his scoring with his elite defense, Grimes could earn some serious respect from the league.
However, if Thibs continues to stick Grimes in the corner, he’ll likely have a similar season from a statistical standpoint. Grimes has shown tons of potential to be a very productive player with the ball in his hands, but he needs the reps to show that he can do so at a sustainable level. This is where Thibodeau and his playcalling would come in.
Instead of consistently giving Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett isolation plays to run the shot clock out, the Knicks need to spread the ball out more. Thibodeau doesn’t have to necessarily make Grimes a focal point on the offense, but give him more off-ball screens or dribble hand-off plays instead of relegating him to be a pure spot-up shooter.
It’s doubtful that fans will see such a drastic change, but one can hope. Regardless, fans know what Grimes is capable of and that he will make a big impact. Even if he doesn’t get tons of reps with the ball, his overall improvement will allow him to be an even better role player than he was last season. If he manages to make the jump, the Knicks could become title contenders.
2. Miles McBride
Throughout his first two seasons in the NBA, fans have seen former second-round pick Miles McBride make some minor improvements. While these haven’t been enough to become a consistent part of the Knicks’ rotation, this could change during the 2023-24 season. McBride has been a great defensive player since being drafted, but his offense has been rather putrid.
That has been the big problem with McBride, as there’s no doubt that he is a very productive player defensively. However, his offense through two years has been nothing short of disastrous. In two seasons, McBride has averaged 3.0 points per game on 33.7% shooting from the field and 28.2% shooting from deep on 1.9 attempts.
It’s unfortunate because if McBride had an NBA-level offensive game, he’d be an extremely productive player. Instead, the Knicks have an elite defensive guard who’s arguably one of the worst offensive players in the league. Even if McBride can turn into a Marcus Smart type of player on offense, the Knicks would reap the benefits.
It’s unknown how McBride will progress in the coming seasons. One thing is certain, though, and it’s that he has to improve offensively if he wants to be a difference-maker for the Knicks and have a long career. If this happens, New York will have either a serious trade piece or a genuine rotation player for the future.
1. Donte DiVincenzo
One of the few moves Leon Rose and the Knicks made this offseason was signing former Warriors guard Donte DiVincenzo in free agency. While this isn’t a move that will drastically move the needle for New York, there’s no doubt that DiVincenzo will make a pretty significant difference off the bench.
Last season, DiVincenzo averaged 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 43.5% from the field and 39.7% from beyond the arc on 5.3 attempts. In addition to this, DiVincenzo was a relatively solid defender, especially when attacking an opposing ball handler. Combined with his shooting, this is exactly what the Knicks need next season.
Considering how poor of a three-point shooting team the Knicks were in the regular season and playoffs, adding a shooter like DiVincenzo is a welcome addition. He isn’t the star the Knicks need, but adding a role player like this will push the Knicks closer toward contention.
The backcourt duo DiVincenzo will form with Immanuel Quickley is going to be incredibly fun to watch. Two, playmaking, three-point shooting, two-way guards that can work well in the off-ball is a match made in heaven. Then, when you throw in Hart, who can do all of that, the second unit becomes one of the best benches in the entire NBA.
9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon
The New York Knicks gave up on these nine players way too soon, chasing win-now options and living to regret it in every case.