Kevin Knox, Knicks Snap 18-Game Losing Streak with Win vs. Trae Young, Hawks
Dennis Smith Jr. had 19 points and seven assists as the New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 106-91 on Thursday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
DeAndre Jordan contributed a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double for the 11-47 Knicks, who broke an 18-game losing streak. Kevin Knox added nine points and 10 assists, and Kadeem Allen pitched in 14 points and nine dimes off the bench.
Trae Young had 16 points and 11 assists for the 19-39 Hawks, who have lost four of five. Dewayne Dedmon led Atlanta with 21 points.
Knox's Development Vital as Knicks Audition for 2019 Free Agents
It's been painfully clear that being "the New York Knicks" isn't enough for the franchise to woo free agents. New York simply hasn't been good for the vast majority of the 21st century, and any free agents looking to join a winning team have been best served heading elsewhere.
But despite the Knicks' woes, they have an intriguing core of young talent. Knox leads that pack, and that group could be a selling point for any veteran free agents looking to head elsewhere this offseason.
Knox's aggressiveness was encouraging on Thursday evening. Granted, he hit just two of nine shots, but he flew all over the court, fearlessly drove the lane and crashed the boards. Not only was his hustle evident all night, but he looked a step faster than most everyone else on the court.
Knox's defense still needs work. At times, he doesn't close out fast enough on his defender, and he can be caught out of position.
He also made just 36.6 percent of his shots entering Thursday.
Still, the centerpiece for the Knicks' future has off-the-charts athleticism, as evidenced by this monster dunk over Philadelphia 76ers All-Star point guard Ben Simmons from Wednesday:
The 6'9" Knox is perfectly capable of doing work in the lane or stepping out and shooting the three, where he makes 33.5 percent of his shots. He's an excellent fit for today's NBA thanks to his ability to stretch the floor and do work anywhere on the court.
And all of that could be a selling point for free agents: Come to New York, and you can join a team on the rise with a young player sporting All-Star potential.
Knox isn't the only one the Knicks can pitch though.
Smith is just 21 years old and two years removed from being taken ninth overall in the 2017 NBA draft. Mitchell Robinson is raw but learning quickly: He posted 14 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and two steals against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday and added four more blocks Wednesday.
Of course, the Knicks will also have a to-be-determined 2019 lottery pick, with a strong shot of that landing in the top five. A chance at superstar Duke forward Zion Williamson isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Ultimately, the Knicks' 11-47 record is disappointing, even though this year was never about competing for the playoffs.
But a four-player core at 22 years old or younger beginning next season is something the Knicks can build off. In conjunction, free agents could see the core's potential and decide New York is the place to be.
What's Next?
Both teams play at home on Friday, February 22. The Hawks will host the Detroit Pistons, and the Knicks will face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
