When the New York Knicks selected Kevin Knox with the 9th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, they were taking a risk. Knox was thought to have one of the higher ceilings in the draft class but was a very raw prospect. It would take some time before he would realize his potential.
He showed flashes of that potential during his rookie season. The overall efficiency wasn’t great, but he averaged 12.8 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds. The organization and fans were hopeful that a second-year jump would occur and elevate his statistics.
Unfortunately, that jump never came. Knox has seen his role shrink each season after his rookie campaign, as he is now buried at the end of the bench in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
As a result, Knox has been mentioned as someone that is on the trade block. His value is about as low as it could get, but there is likely a team out there that would take a shot on him and hope they could develop him in a manner that the Knicks couldn’t.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Knicks-Suns Trade Is Centered Around Deandre Ayton
Over at HoopsHype, a piece was put together that highlighted the top trade candidates from each team around the league. Unsurprisingly, Knox was selected as the one for the Knicks. One executive believes Knox fits the mold of an NBA player, but not one that fits what Thibodeau wants.
“He’s got a specific skill set, and he has enough size,” one executive said. “He just needs to be in the right situation. He doesn’t fit the Tom Thibodeau type of player.”
Knox did knock down 39.3 percent of his 3-point attempts last season, but it wasn’t enough to get him on the court consistently. His shortcomings defensively are what is holding him back the most with the Knicks.
He only sees the court in garbage time, as he has been surpassed by numerous other players. Even with some players missing time at the center spot and the rotation needing to be adjusted, Knox cannot get on the floor.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Knicks-Suns Trade Is Centered Around Deandre Ayton
Obi Toppin has a role that is increasing this season and Julius Randle is entrenched as the starting power forward. On the wing, RJ Barrett starts along with Evan Fournier, and Alec Burks comes off the bench in relief.
There is just nowhere that Kevin Knox fits into that rotation. A change of scenery would likely be best for him, as he looks to have run out of chances in New York with the Knicks.
