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New York Knicks: 3 players likely to struggle in 2020-21

By Orestis Rantis

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with Kevin Knox II #20 against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 20, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with Kevin Knox II #20 against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena on December 20, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
New York Knicks Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images /

2. Kevin Knox

Ah yes, the almighty Kevin Knox.

Selected by the 8th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Knox had a ridiculously bad rookie season. To be specific, he had the worst Box Plus-Minus in the league, with a BPM of -8.5. He didn’t seem so bad at first, but then again, that was a 17-win New York Knicks team.

Following his rookie struggles, Knox managed to build on that by worsening almost every aspect of his game, apart from his defense. Quickly enough, RJ Barrett was moved to the 3, as a result of the many shooting guards the team owned, leaving Knox to rot on the bench.

So who’s Kevin’s competition this year? Well, apart from his own self, the arrivals of Alec Burks, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Omari Spellman are almost certain to take some of the minutes not occupied by RJ, the team’s major breakout candidate.

Additionally, the pair of Julius Randle and Obi Toppin is likely to conquer the power forward spot, thus rendering Knox’s place there prohibitive.

On a more pleasant note, it seems that Knox has been taking his Knicks career rather seriously as of late. Per Tom Thibodeau, his training camp performances have impressed him a bunch and that could swing in his favor.

Maybe all that Knox needed was a change in scenery and Thibodeau’s arrival was just the push he required to make his NBA leap. The talent is clearly there for the Rookie of the Month for December 2018.

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