The New York Knicks have hit a rough patch. After starting the 2021-22 NBA season 5-1, they are now 12-15 as they have struggled to play with any consistency on either end of the court.
Right now, the Knicks are a team without an identity. The defense, which was their calling card last season, has not been anywhere near as effective this season. They sacrificed defense for some offense, bringing in Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, but those moves have not panned out as hoped.
Walker was removed from the rotation after starting 18 games, while Fournier’s defense, or lack thereof, has been more impactful than his ability to put the ball in the basket. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has shifted his starting lineup multiple times, but nothing has clicked yet. New York digs itself a huge hole early in games and they are unable to climb out of it.
Luckily for the Knicks, they do have some assets that they can build a package with should they want to make a trade to shake things up. There are young players on the roster that could garner some interest and they have some good trade capital as well.
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One of the young players that have been receiving some inquiries is Kevin Knox. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft didn’t agree to a contract extension before the season, so he could be heading toward restricted free agency next summer.
“Sources said teams are inquiring about Knicks forward Kevin Knox, who has played in just four games this season and has rival executives wondering the plan for the 22-year-old in New York.”
Knox has been out of the rotation this season and has seen his games played diminish each season of his career. He has made a few more appearances since that piece from The Athletic was released and showed that he has made some strides.
Knox was thrust into the rotation against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon after Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett landed in the league’s health and safety protocols. With Alec Burks also away from the team for personal reasons, Knox got his chance and made the most of it.
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He played 29 minutes, scoring 18 points, knocking down 5-of-12 of his 3-point attempts. He pulled down five rebounds and added one assist and one steal as well. It was a great performance for Knox, who had 22 minutes combined all season before Sunday’s game.
Kevin Knox II would assuredly like an opportunity to play more, but his performance on Sunday is exactly why the New York Knicks aren’t going to just give him away for the sake of making a trade. He has real 3-and-D potential with some more development, which is likely why teams are inquiring about his availability. A career revival with a change of scenery would surprise no one as Knox turned only 22-years old in August.
