Cole Aldrich Has Unexpected Opportunity to Create NBA Niche with NY Knicks

Cole Aldrich is one of the few bright spots for the New York Knicks.

The 6'11" 250-pound center is developing into a competent NBA player during a dismal season for his franchise. 

He's not putting up extravagant numbers, but he's competed consistently for New York—scoring 5.7 points and grabbing 5.1 rebounds while posting a player efficiency rating of 15.81, per Basketball-Reference.com. 

The 26-year-old has gone from potential draft bust to respectable role player in his tenure with the Knicks.

Progression

After being drafted 11th overall in 2010, Aldrich got off to a slow start with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

In his two years with OKC, he played 44 games for an average of 7.3 minutes per game. Throughout 2012-13, Aldrich played 45 games with the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings, posting modest numbers in limited action. 

With the Knicks, Aldrich has had the opportunity to step on the court and contribute, rather than being a bench player receiving burn solely in garbage time. 

Throughout December, he scored 8.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and throughout January, he's posting averages of 7.0 points and 7.4 rebounds. 

In his two seasons with New York, his value over replacement player has been at career highs, checking in with 0.2 and 0.3, respectively, via Basketball-Reference.com. His win shares have also been at the high points of his career with 1.2 and 0.7, respectively. 

Aldrich still has room to grow, and his added playing time with Samuel Dalembert's departure should help the center evolve as a competitor. Via NBA.com, his contested rebound percentage needs to increase from the 40.3 percent he's grabbing against opponents, and his percentage of rebounds per chance must rise from the 54.5 percent he's picking up. 

Niche

Aldrich won't be a dominant force scoring 20 per game or notching double-doubles with regularity, but he has the potential to find a place in this league as a reliable role player who provides depth and effort in every outing. 

Via Box Score Geeks, Aldrich is seventh on the Knicks in wins produced with 0.96 and third in adjusted production per 48 minutes with 0.3. 

He's also a decent shot-blocker for New York, averaging 0.9 BPG and, via NBA.com, he keeps his opponents' field-goal percentage at the rim to 52.6 percent. 

Aldrich is the quintessential selfless team player who is developing into a leader through his work ethic. Via Billy Witz of The New York Times, Aldrich said:

"

There have been a few stretches over my career where I’ve had the opportunity to play here or there. I take the same approach every time that it happens, which is go out there and play hard, rebound, play defense and score when given the opportunity.

"

Head coach Derek Fisher also spoke positively about Aldrich:

"

He’s a great guy to have on a team. He’s not a guy that tries to always lead in a vocal way, but he’s definitely become somewhat of a leader just in his approach and being an example of how you work at what you do.

"

Aldrich is a tough competitor who happens to be an underrated passer for a big man. He's dishing 1.1 assists per game, but via NBA.com, he's gotten 2.7 assist opportunities per game. 

A 5 who can dish the ball aids the fluidity of the triangle offense—and Aldrich seems to enjoy playing in Fisher's system, via Marc Berman of the New York Post: 

"

I personally love the triangle, being able to have more opportunities to post up but also have the ball in your hands in the pinch post with the guard coming off. There’s a lot of opportunities to get assists and easy buckets down.

"

He also has the positive attitude needed to eliminate the loser's mentality that has permeated the franchise in its recent rut. "I’m having fun, playing hard,’’ Aldrich said. “I know some nights are better than others. If you always play hard, most nights you’re going to be OK."

Future

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If all goes to plan, the Knicks will have the chance to add a franchise-changing talent at the center position by drafting either Jahlil Okafor or Karl Towns.

However, adding either rookie to the Knicks won't cast Aldrich aside. His effort this season has displayed his passion for the sport, and his positive attitude ensures a spot on Fisher's roster.

Moving Aldrich to the bench will fortify New York's frontcourt and provide more depth than the organization possesses at the 5 currently. In his two-year tenure with the Knicks, he has worked his way from 12th man to starting center. He's shown regardless of his role that he can contribute through his effort and toughness on the floor.

He's a big body who isn't afraid to throw his weight around, and he has a decent touch around the rim. He sports a career field-goal percentage of 52 percent, and he isn't a liability on either end of the court.  

Aldrich isn't a franchise-changing talent, but he's a winning basketball player whom great teams need to have on board.