New York Knicks: Kevin Knox’s real value lies on his ability to attract free agents

The New York Knicks used their 2018 Draft selection wisely when they took Kevin Knox from Kentucky. What he is doing on the court is spectacular, but we have not even seen its true value yet.

The New York Knicks have Kevin Knox. That is a fact. Did you know that Kevin Knox is only 19 years old? I’m not sure if that has been engulfed in your minds yet.

Well, that is kind of joke. One of Knox’s best assets is his youth and growth potential, so being 19 is a part of the story.

Also, in case you missed it, which you Knicks fans rarely miss anything, Kevin Knox closed out 2018 by winning rookie of the month.

https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1080918717695836160

That is quite the accomplishment.

An award like that means more in a sport like the NBA where rookies actually have massive roles on teams and are often relied on heavily.

Knox has been what we expected and then some. He is even doing things that I didn’t even know were remarkable, they are so rare (see above tweet).

But what the Knicks have in Knox is becoming something better than a great player.

For years with this team, it was all about potential. Can this kid be good? How long will it take for this kid to show us something?

Even Frank Ntilikina is struggling to shake these questions.

What this has done to the Knicks is this. Coming to play for the Knicks is no longer seen as fun. It is becoming a more of a place where careers go to die.

Look at Carmelo Anthony. Look at J.R. Smith. Great Knicks runs, but more successful elsewhere.

The Knicks cannot keep pulling out the “we play in New York City” card. Madison Square Garden is still iconic, but more for its past rather than the on the court product right now.

The Knicks will never likely struggle for a free agent, per se, they will always have a player who would love to play here and be part of it.

But, there is another team in New York City that is playing well, and doing all the things the Knicks have been on the cusp of but are failing to do now.

They are the Brooklyn Nets and are knocking on the door of the playoffs and sustainable success.

That is what makes Kevin Knox so special. Doing things that have not been done by rookies in years. Doing it all for the Knicks? It almost unheard of.

It is no longer “Can this guy be good” it is not any longer when we have to ask “when will the Knicks finally draft correctly”

Kevin Knox will likely be good. He was the correct draft choice, after all, he is only 19. Boom, there it is again.

But, the point is this: When free agents are deciding where to go, and the Knicks need to sign one badly, they will not be looking at playing with a kid who “might” be great.

They will be looking at Knox who is already good, but will “probably” be great.

The Knicks are nothing short of pathetic. They are still years away and there are still too many unknowns with Kristaps Porzingis for my liking.

As a result, the Nets were starting to pull away as the clear-cut place to want to play in New York.

However, not anymore.

Kevin Knox is looking like someone who is one great helper away from breaking out. The Knicks, with Knox and a free agent, could speed up the process and start winning.

The Nets have talent, but not a Kevin Knox. Other teams have great rookies, but not potential building blocks.

The Knicks are not going to win a lot of games this year and the Garden ain’t what it used to be in terms of glamour.

But, if there is even a sliver of doubt that a free agent does not want to play in New York, and it’s really not for everyone, if there is no hope to come here because the Knicks look so bad right now, then there is one thing that should be intriguing.

Playing with Kevin Knox.

I know it is early, and we need to see a massive sample size, a string of playing like rookie of the month to be sure he is THAT good, but we are looking at the future when it comes to the Knicks, right?

This season is not about what can you do for me in 10 days, it’s all about what can you do for me in 10 years.

That is what Knox brings.

Players might not want to play in New York, or even for the Knicks, but they will have to if they want to play with the more intriguing Knox.

It has been a while since the Knicks had this luxury. No one wanted to play with Jordan Hill or Wilson Chandler.

Some might want to still play with Porzingis. However, right now, I would want to play with Kevin Knox. He is looking great, and the piece to the puzzle the Knicks need.

Of course, Knox’s 12 points per game is great, but being an attraction to free agents means way more to the Knicks and the direction they want to, nay, need to go in.