New York Knicks: Complete 2018 offseason grades

Drafting Kevin Knox

Coming into the 2018 NBA Daft, Knicks fans were on edge about who their team would take with the ninth overall pick. Like last year, they were divided on who the Knicks should take, but one thing everyone agreed on was for the Knicks not to mess this pick up again.

With last year’s first round pick Frank Ntilikina having a very disappointing rookie season, fans were looking for an immediate hit on this selection. Possible players the Knicks were interested in including Collin Sexton, Mikal Bridges and Miles Bridges.

The Knicks kept their pick and didn’t trade up or down. When their turn came, Sexton was off the board. The two players fans wanted to see get picked were Kentucky freshman Kevin Knox and Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. Porter would’ve been the flashier selection because of his top-five talent, but there were major red flags due to his back injury, which caused him to basically miss his only season at Missouri.

Draft experts were torn on who the Knicks would take with the ninth pick and fans in the building were divided as usual. As commissioner Adam Silver stepped to the podium, he announced that Kevin Knox was the selection, leading to a chorus of boos from the Knicks faithful in attendance. While fans booed the pick, draft experts loved it.

The 6’9″, 213-pound forward out of Kentucky showed he could score in bunches as he led the Wildcats in scoring in his only season there. The Knicks drafted a potential franchise cornerstone in Knox, as the skilled wing player fits a lot of needs for this team.

A proven scorer who can play multiple positions is something coach Fizdale loved about him and as time goes on, Knicks fans will love him as well. He already started to win fans over in NBA Summer League, averaging 21.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and earning All-Summer League First Team honors. He’s very athletic and excels as a spot-up shooter, which will help spread the floor for Kristaps Porzingis when he comes back from his ACL injury.

Being only 19, the Knicks have time to groom Knox into the star player they see him becoming. On a rebuilding team like the Knicks, he will have plenty of opportunities to play and get acclimated with his new home. This pick may end up being one Knicks fans remember for years.

Grade: A-