The New York Knicks have been the talk of the town in recent weeks, as they are playing some of the best basketball seen at Madison Square Garden in years. The team is 18-18, right in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. However, they need a point guard of the future and New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball has been mentioned as a potential target.
Tom Thibodeau has been a revelation in his first season as the team’s head coach, showing how important it is to have a competent coaching staff. While there had been glimpses of similar success in recent years, this team has the look of one that will be able to sustain their level of play throughout the season.
While the Knicks will focus on making a postseason run this season, there are still some needs on the roster. Julius Randle has emerged as an All-Star and centerpiece of the roster going forward, but the team could still use a long-term answer at point guard.
Fans are excited about what rookie Immanuel Quickley has brought to the table. The No. 25 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has far exceeded expectations thus far, providing a scoring punch off the bench with some lights out shooting. He is currently the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 12.6 points on 39.1 percent from the three-point line and an impressive 98-of-104 from the foul line.
He could be the point guard of the future for the Knicks, but if Thibodeau and company believe he thrives best as a super sixth man, they will have to find another player to fill the spot long-term. One potential option could be Ball.
Recently, an NBA scout discussed the fit between Ball and the Knicks and believes he is exactly what the team needs.
“The Knicks need to bring in a point guard. Lonzo Ball is the guy they should go all-out for. Ball would be a perfect long-term fit and has been improving dramatically over the past couple of years. New York would find their answer at point guard with this move.”
Ball has transformed his shooting form during his NBA tenure and looks to finally have figured it out. This season, he has knocked down a career-high 39.4 percent of his three-point attempts and 77.5 percent of his free throws. The former UCLA product has always been a plus defender and great playmaker, and now he has the shot-making to go along with it.
While he still leaves something to be desired when it comes to attacking the rim, Ball’s improvements as a shooter will quickly move him up the point guard ranks in the NBA. His floor-spacing would play well in the starting five for the Knicks, as teams have taken full advantage of the starting point guard spot being a weakness when it comes to shooting all season for New York.
Lonzo Ball is entering restricted free agency, so waiting until free agency to go after him could be a risky proposition. While the Knicks would be smart to hold onto their assets, Ball is someone they should strongly consider parting ways with some of them for, especially if JJ Redick comes along with him in a trade package.
