New York Knicks Bold Predictions For 2015-16 Regular Season

Kyle O’Quinn Wins Sixth Man Of The Year

Oct 17, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; New York Knicks forward Kyle O’Quinn (9) during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Knicks 97-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

One of the other free agent acquisitions for the Knicks this summer was getting Kyle O’Quinn from the Orlando Magic. Since he was a restricted free agent, the Knicks had to sign-and-trade for him, but it was worth it as it cost the Knicks only four-years and $16 million. If he continues what he did during the preseason, he will be a steal for the Knicks.

O’Quinn brings some of the same qualities that Charles Oakley did when he was with the Knicks. A tough power forward that doesn’t back down and does the dirty work to free up his teammates. O’Quinn did that throughout the preseason. He averaged a team-high 8.4 rebounds per game to go with 1.2 blocks despite playing only 19.9 minutes per game. He also added 9.6 points, so to almost be averaging a double-double despite not playing 20 minutes a game is impressive.

O’Quinn should be locked into a bench role backing up both power forward and center. Because of that, he should actually see increased minutes in the regular season, so there is a chance that he does reach that double-double if he can get near 25 minutes per game.

With a bench role, he is also eligible for the Sixth Man of The Year Award, which we think he is a darkhorse for. The number he put up in the preseason would be enough to get chatter surrounding him, but if he averaged a double-double off the bench he would be thrust into the conversation as a front runner.

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