New York Knicks: Evaluating Kevin Knox’s young career
Too many forwards
The joke that everyone made this offseason, which is the New York Knicks signing too many forwards, actually played a part in Knox’s playing time dwindling.
A key factor for Knox getting so much playing time last season is because…well let’s be honest, the team was downright terrible and there were no true viable options at the forward positions (mainly the small forward position). Between Mario Hezonja and Lance Thomas, it was a no-brainer to start Knox at small forward so he could get valuable experience to help his development.
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However, this season the Knicks organization wanted to reduce Knox’s playing time because both the excessive minutes and long season wore on him. So the front office added veterans such as Julius Randle, Marcus Morris (traded to the Los Angeles Clippers) and Bobby Portis to help relieve Knox of that stress.
Management also believed that adding these veterans would help with his development. Instead, Randle, Morris, and Portis have soaked up Knox’s minutes which seem to have caused Knox’s inconsistent play.
Per Basketball-Reference, during Knox’s rookie season, he averaged 12.8 points, 37 field goal percentage, 34.3 three-point percentage, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Through his sophomore season, he is averaging 6.7 points, 36.8 field goal percentage, 32.4 three-point percentage, 2.8 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.
Such a drop off is highly concerning for developing young talent. But the blame should not just be placed on the front office for signing so many forwards.