Previously selected as the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox II has yet to establish a foothold in the league thus far. Now playing in his fourth professional campaign, the 22-year-old is barely seeing action as he was dropped out of the team's rotation yet again.
Knox is currently averaging meager numbers of 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in eight games played this season. As of the moment, it is already clear that he doesn't fit within Tom Thibodeau's system and might be better off playing for another team that will be willing to give him opportunities on the floor.
In fact, the former Kentucky product continues to garner interest from other teams that are interested in trading for his services in the near future. It can't be denied that Knox still has a promising future in the league, given his young age and untapped potential that can only be maximized by an organization that is willing to trust his capabilities on the floor.
With that said, here are three squads that could take a gamble and potentially benefit from acquiring Kevin Knox this season:
Kevin Knox Trades
Without a doubt, the Houston Rockets' rebuilding mode is in full swing as their current roster is mostly composed of youngsters. Despite the youth movement, head coach Stephen Silas still has a couple of veterans in his team with the likes of Eric Gordon and Danuel House Jr.
At their age, it would be better for them to be traded to a team with playoff aspirations like the Knicks in exchange for a young player in Knox. He can potentially find more opportunities in Houston to prove his capabilities and eventually join its young core composed of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. that might emerge to be a deadly duo in the years to come.
With a 9-20 record in the Western Conference, the 2021-22 season of the Rockets is not looking pretty but it might just be a good place for Kevin Knox to hone his skills and gain a sizable role moving forward.
Another rebuilding team in the Orlando Magic has already begun shipping their vets in exchange for young talents who they can further develop for the future. After cleaning house, the team now has a handful of promising pieces in Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Wendell Carter Jr., among others.
Knox could very well fit into the picture if he manages to find himself landing in central Florida soon. So far, the Magic's wing rotation needs more depth behind Wagner as well as their power forward spot behind Carter and Chuma Okeke. Both of which can be filled by Knox who stands at 6-foot-7 and is versatile enough to play at the 3 and 4 spots.
Knox's shooting could also come in handy for Orlando, given that they don't have that many snipers that can space the floor and serve as deep threats on the court. With a less crowded frontcourt rotation, the forward can potentially earn more minutes and produce valuable contributions for a Magic side that is struggling to get wins this season.
Perhaps the most intriguing landing spot for Kevin Knox would be the Detroit Pistons. Head coach Dwane Casey and his men may find themselves settling in the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings when the regular season ends. However, it can't be denied that this team could potentially end up being special in the years to come, especially with the addition of No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham at the helm.
Despite the potential, the Pistons still have some pieces that possess a questionable dynamic with the team in the likes of Josh Jackson and Hamidou Diallo who were drafted in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Perhaps trading them to teams that know how to better utilize them can eventually give them a new lease in their careers, similar to the situation of Knox.
Meanwhile, now playing in his fourth season, the Arizona native can land in Motor City and serve as one of the leaders of this young team. By being a low-risk, high-reward type of player, the Pistons might gain a solid contributor if they get to successfully unleash the potential of Kevin Knox in the years to come.
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