New York Knicks: Should Emmanuel Mudiay Be The Long-Term Point Guard?

New York Knicks point guard, Emmanuel Mudiay.
Nov 28, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks guard Emmanuel Mudiay (1) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Jimmy Butler (left) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

From his days at Prime Prep, where he finished his career ranked fifth in the ESPN 100 recruiting rankings, to his college-skipping stint in China, to the Denver Nuggets making him the seventh selection in the 2015 NBA Draft, New York Knicks‘ Emmanuel Mudiay has always been an enigma.

But in the NBA Mudiay has underwhelmed, playing 165 games for Denver, and putting up pedestrian numbers of 11.1 points per game, 4.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, on just 38 percent shooting, and 31 percent from three.

As we all know, he ended up being dealt in a three team trade that netted the Nuggets journeyman guard Devin Harris, and Mudiay the change of scenery he so desperately needed. The Knicks were willing to take a chance, but even last year it was pretty clear what his future would be with New York: nothing.

Then the front office hired head coach David Fizdale:

From the beginning of the Fizdale era, it was clear that Mudiay would be a priority when David looked his youthful point guard right in the eye and told him, “We’ll get you right,” during his introductory press conference back in June.

So far, Coach Fiz has made good on that promise, as Mudiay has significantly improved this year to the tune of 14.5 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game; and while those stats aren’t a huge jump, Mudiay is playing in the flow of the offense, taking better shots, and at least giving effort on defense.

His advanced stats look good too:

He has a .526 true shooting percentage, comparable with guys like John Wall, Victor Oladipo, and DeMar DeRozan. His player efficiency rating is at 15.94, which rivals Klay Thompson, CJ McCollum, and Spencer Dinwiddie. Mudiay has consistently come up clutch as well, like a 28-point, seven-assist night in a win over the Bucks, a 34 point effort on the road to beat Charlotte, and a 27 point, six assist performance in a big win over the Pelicans.

Of course, it’s only been 36 games this season, and it’s not like Mudiay is going to be an all-star anytime soon. But it’s important to keep in mind that he is still just 22 (!) years old, and showed clear signs of growth this past offseason.

In two or three years, what’s to say he isn’t at 18-20 points and 6-7 assists? The way I see it, these Knicks have a couple options at point guard for the future. Frank Ntilikina is undeniably one of those, but Fizdale has seemed frustrated at his lack of aggressiveness. Maybe Ntilikina is best served playing off the ball, focusing on his shooting and defense, and transforming himself into an elite “3-and-D” player. Another option is the talented Ja Morant in the draft, a small school guy with elite athleticism but a habit of turning the ball over.

Rather than gambling on Morant, sticking with the familiar face in Mudiay, just three years older than Morant, and drafting a star player at a different position is the smarter play. The third option is looking towards free agency–but unless Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant wants to play here, and there’s been no indication they do, I’d rather have Mudiay and his 12 million cap hold, than the move that front offices of the Knicks past would make: overpay for a guy like Terry Rozier or Eric Bledsoe.

An important thought:

The final thing that is important to keep in mind when it comes to Mudiay is the power of continuity. Teams tend to be successful when their young cores can grow together. The Knicks have a legitimate youthful core with Mudiay, Ntilikina, Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson, and what will be at least a top five pick in the 2019 NBA draft (Zion anyone?).

Look at the Warriors core of Curry, Thompson, and Green. They grew up together, and as a result, their chemistry is exceptional. The same goes with the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gary Harris have been able to learn from their mistakes and are now at first place in the West. Sure, the Knicks could let go of all their assets and half-assets, but that would be breaking up a nucleus that has shown promise together. Let’s face it Knicks fans, we probably aren’t going to get an elite free agent. So let’s save the money, and retain a group of guys that can develop over the next several years. Maybe then that star player will want to come to New York.

Mudiay has truly come out of his shell this year, and you’re lying to yourself if his potential doesn’t at least pique your interest. In Fizdale’s system that demands playing with pace, Mudiay is a great fit. Fiz recently said about the young guard, “I think it’s enough now we know this kid is an NBA rotation player…How far it goes from there is going to be what he does…First thing he had to prove to himself and to everyone is if he’s a legitimate NBA player. That’s proven now.

The next step is can we get him to grow and develop and show the consistency of what a lead guard would do. He’s taken off and really gotten better every day.” Fizdale believes in him. And so should Scott Perry and Steve Mills, because the former lottery pick has proved himself worthy, if not of a long-term investment, then at least of another year in the orange and blue.