The New York Knicks new team president Leon Rose has a lot on his plate in his first months on the job. One decision he’ll have to make regards Kevin Knox.
Rumors are out there that Rose is ‘on the fence’ on whether to exercise Knox’s 4th year option. The Knicks took a chance on Knox and it really hasn’t paid off. Knox will be earn $5.8 million in his 4th year.
Even out of college, Knox’s college coach John Calipari said Knox is a ‘project’. However, there was plenty of upside in his game. Recently, Calipari said that the Knicks shouldn’t trade him as those rumors are out there as well. Rose and Calipari have a close relationship.
In his first few seasons, Knox would start then get benched. It’s a rollercoaster when it comes to minutes. That‘s why his confidence was slow low in his 3rd year.
It didn’t help Knox’s confidence when the Knicks signed a bunch of forwards, pushing him to the bench. Marcus Morris took a lot of Knox’s minutes this season.
Knox is only 20-years-old. He’s still very young and has the skills to be a contributor for the Knicks in the future. Rose should exercise his option but being ‘on the fence’ comes as no surprise.
The Knicks need to see how Knox bounces back after a terrible start to his season. Before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19, Knox started to play better. He was contributing on both sides of the floor and showing confidence.
It seems like Knox is getting the same treatment that Frank Ntilikina got to start his Knicks career. Fans soured on Ntilikina but the organization had patience when it came to his development and his game is starting to progress. The New York Knicks shouldn’t give up on Knox like they didn’t give up on Ntilikina and exercise his 4th year.