The New York Knicks bolstered their depth this offseason with Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, though one participant who was once on the roster could be a a lot better match on each ends of the ground.
After shedding within the Jap Convention Finals final season, the New York Knicks, for probably the most half, didn’t shake up their roster.
As a substitute, they fired head coach Tom Thibodeau, changing him with Mike Brown, who had been fired by the Sacramento Kings final season.
Whereas all of their stars stay in place, fringe role-players left the crew in free company and have been changed by Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, who’re each anticipated to be helpful bench items. Nevertheless, one former Knick would have been an excellent higher match.
In 2024, to be able to full the commerce for Karl-Anthony Cities, the Knicks shipped ahead Julius Randle and sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
For a couple of weeks final summer season, faculty teammates Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and DiVincenzo have been all on the identical NBA crew, though New York determined to handle their lack of frontcourt scoring, finishing the deal for KAT.
Whereas the commerce did make them higher, they don’t have any actually elite shooters as function gamers. Cities was the one full-time participant to shoot higher than 40% from deep, and neither Clarkson nor Yabusele is an environment friendly scorer from deep.
“They lack taking pictures,” declared Jeff Teague on his Membership 520 podcast. “KAT is a good shooter. Jalen Brunson could make a shot. Landry Shamet, I don’t know if he’s going to be on the crew subsequent 12 months, however he can shoot it. However they’re lacking a participant who can defend and make a shot. They’re lacking DiVincenzo.”
Final season, DiVincenzo shot 39.7% from deep and was an underrated defender. Teague rightfully believes that changing Clarkson with DiVincenzo wouldn’t solely be nice for crew chemistry, however it might translate to wins.
“If that they had DiVincenzo, they might be good,” he stated. “Mikal Bridges as soon as upon a time was once that, and he was making pictures final 12 months slightly bit, nevertheless it relies upon.”
Final season, Bridges shot 35.4% from deep, the bottom mark since his rookie season, and having a deadeye shooter come off the bench behind him would solely improve the Knicks’ title hopes.
The Timberwolves, clearly, wouldn’t entertain a straight-up swap of Clarkson and DiVincenzo. Clarkson might need a greater profession, though at this level he’s effectively previous his prime. That’s to not say he can’t be efficient, though after six seasons with the Utah Jazz, together with the final three, it’s onerous to think about him enjoying profitable basketball.
| Participant | PPG | FGA | FG% | 3PT% | SPG |
| Clarkson | 16.2 | 13.3 | 40.8% | 36.2% | 0.8 |
| DiVincenzo | 11.7 | 9.6 | 42.2% | 39.7% | 1.2 |
Whereas Clarkson edges DiVincenzo out in quantity scoring, DiVincenzo is youthful, extra environment friendly, and a greater defender, which is precisely the kind of participant the Knicks would like to construct with and round.
“Jordan Clarkson is what you name a quantity shooter,” Teague added. “He’s a microwave-type participant. If he’s sizzling, he’s sizzling. He solely shot 42% final 12 months, so in basketball phrases, that’s kinda a—.”
Coveting a “kinda a—” participant because the splashiest offseason transfer won’t be the perfect search for the Knicks, however with two All-Stars in Brunson and Cities and a solid of help that includes Hart, Bridges, and OG Anunoby, it’s simple to think about them profitable the West, anyway.
