With all the attention surrounding the New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony, they should continue to evaluate Lance Thomas and the possibly vacant forward position.
The New York Knicks have had a productive offseason in their first year of committing to a legitimate rebuild.
As of now, the only key players on the roster playing up to their potential that are not named Carmelo Anthony would be Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez. Short of the front office having a complete mental breakdown this season, it seems safe to say that the Knicks’ future plans primarily revolves around the two big men and rookie Frank Ntilikina.
While their focus of developing their younger players and improving on the defensive end has been put out in the public, every player must be thoroughly evaluated.
At the top of that list is a player that comes off the bench, who frankly has not done much at all.
Lance Thomas made his way to the Knicks during the 2014 regular season, and then signed a four-year deal worth $27 million in 2016.
Next to the signing of Joakim Noah, this was easily the second-most questionable free agency signing under Phil Jackson.
Since his first full season with the Knicks during 2015-16 Thomas has played just 105 games of 164.
Lance Thomas does come with a true underdog story, for those who are unaware of his history. He was cut from Summer League, waived four times, and has signed 13 different contracts. While his work ethic is admirable, it is time to move past a good story and look toward reality.
Proving value through consistency
Lance Thomas was signed to the Knicks with the expectation of being a role player. However, that said role has yet to be realized due to his lack of consistency.
Sure he can be efficient as a shooter but was never hailed as such coming into the league. What made him successful at Duke when in college was his scrappy and hustle style of play and defense.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
His defensive box plus minus stat metric during his time as a Knick you ask? During 2015, his metric was -2.1, then -1.6 last season, which is his average over his career.
His 3-point percentage is the only thing holding him above water. Last year he shot 44.7 from beyond the arc. However, the recent signing of Micheal Beasley to a one-year deal certainly is not an insurance plan just for Carmelo Anthony, but for Lance Thomas as well.
The New York Knicks simply can not afford to keep a player where his peak number appearances in a season is 62. While he received praise from Steve Mills back in 2015 for his work ethic, not much has improved at all.
In fact, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who is coming into his second year in the NBA, shows just as much grit and determination as Thomas. The telling difference? He was able to perform in 68 games this past season, a number Thomas has yet to reach.
Beyond the Knicks’ starting five becoming effective, consistent and successful, the bench must do the same in order to keep them in games this season.
Next: Top 5 free agency destinations for LeBron James in 2018
Lance Thomas absolutely must break his inconsistencies preventing him to be the player he is truly capable of being. The New York Knicks can not afford to have any loose ends as they rebuild, especially from players that do not demonstrate their full potential.