The New York Knicks need help in a lot of areas. At this time, the point guard spot is the one where they are the neediest. They had struggled there all season and now are down to only a handful of options.
Kemba Walker, who started the most games at point guard for the Knicks this season, requested and received the opportunity to sit out the rest of the season. He had battled injuries and played inconsistently in his first campaign with his hometown team. Derrick Rose, who was seemingly making progress with his injured ankle, underwent surgery that will sideline him indefinitely. He was playing solid this season and could have helped, but might be lost for the remainder of the season.
With their top two floor generals down, the Knicks are in obvious need of a solution at point guard. Head coach Tom Thibodeau's solution will likely be Alec Burks, which means that the team is seriously in need of some help. Burks is misused as a distributor, leading to a pitiful offensive setup on most occasions. Julius Randle hasn't been as sharp as last season and would benefit from playing with someone who can help him more.
Although there aren't any options that get the Knicks back into playoff contention, there are tons that would be beneficial for the team moving forward.
3 best point guard options for Knicks amid Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose absences
Let RJ Barrett take control
Point guard duties don't have to be handled by actual point guards nowadays. New York should embrace positionless basketball more and roll with Barrett, who has been their best player this season, to take control of the offense once he returns from injury.
Barrett is averaging 18.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. His improved scoring repertoire, ability to get downhill and snappy decision-making make him the best option. His assist numbers don't show it but he can be a strong playmaker that sees passing lanes and lob opportunities. Scoring is Barrett's main contribution on offense, though. Even if he doesn't transform into a strong scoring-playmaking option, he should be the point guard so that the ball is in his hands more often.
RJ IS THAT DUDE🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/SYvU55HQNJ
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) February 8, 2022
For the Knicks' first game after the All-Star break, Barrett is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. They can go this route whenever he gets back and no matter who fills Walker's spot in the lineup. However, they should consider going other directions than Burks for that spot.
Article Continues BelowStart Immanuel Quickley
After a fantastic rookie season, Quickley has been in a season-long sophomore slump. His shooting splits are down, which is a very bad sign for a player whose main contribution is scoring. Still, Quickley is the best healthy point guard on the team and could be very useful for a Knicks team devoid of offense.
In 21.3 minutes this season, Quickley averages 9.4. points and 3.0 assists per game. His numbers may stay the same once he plays with Barrett and Randle, who will likely take control of the ball more. But hit 3-point percentage should bump up. At the very least, the threat of him heating up should help the offense. It will also give one of the team's key youngsters more reps with other key youngsters in Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
Give Miles “Deuce” McBride a chance
A rookie would have a better chance of getting struck by lighting than starting on a team coached by Thibodeau. Still, if any rookie could convince Thibs to start, it's Deuce.
McBride's defense should make him an ideal fit in New York. He's energetic, feisty and smart. The 21-year-old played under Bob Huggins at West Virginia, where he fine-tuned his defense. He can contribute on offense with his shooting. While Barrett, Randle and Evan Fournier run the show, McBride can get his legs under him and learn how to be a floor general on the fly.
The Knicks can start McBride, have him rattle the opposing point guard and then play him in spurts the rest of the way. He isn't ready to play significant minutes yet, anyway. Thibodeau would be wise to let his rookie get more minutes so that one day he can be a full-time starter.