The New York Knicks have had the same need for what seems like forever; they have to find a starting point guard. It has been so long, it feels like the last player they had that they could count on at the position was NBA legend Walt Frazier, who retired in 1980.
Just how bad have things gotten at the position in more recent years? The Knicks haven’t had the same starting point guard in consecutive seasons since Chris Duhon in 2008 and 2009. Raymond Felton was a starter in consecutive years in 2012 and 2013, but Jason Kidd was considered the point guard by some in the second season.
Regardless of your interpretation, the point remains the same. It has been a long time since the Knicks had a point guard they could count on and the issues have reared their head again this season.
New York thought they were set with veterans Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose manning the point guard position this season. Things were good early on but quickly derailed. Rose suffered an ankle injury and Walker was ineffective, looking like a shell of himself.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks vs Mavericks Wednesday: Lineups, Injury Reports & Broadcast Info
That has forced Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley, who were better off-ball players, into point guard and lead ball-handler roles. There were some flashes, but the results have been as poor as you would expect them to be when players are playing out of position.
On Wednesday night, the New York Knicks could be getting a first-hand look at one of the players they will target to fill the void when they face off vs the Dallas Mavericks. Starting point guard Jalen Brunson is someone the Knicks have had an interest in for a while and this offseason, they will have their chance to acquire him in free agency.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks vs Mavericks Wednesday: Lineups, Injury Reports & Broadcast Info
One NBA executive believes Jalen Brunson would be a great fit for New York. However, prying him away from Dallas will be a tall task.
“RJ Barrett needs to be the focus there and a steady point guard like Brunson would be a great fit. He can shoot it off the catch, get to the rim, and competes on defense. It wouldn’t be easy to pull him from Dallas, though.”
Any move that the Knicks make this offseason has to be with Barrett in mind. He is making strides this season as he continues to show that this is his team. When he is the focal point of their schemes, good things happen.
Finding a capable point guard to play alongside him would only help open things up. It would also benefit Julius Randle in a big way if he remains with the team. A good point guard would help get them in positions to succeed instead of having to do all the heavy lifting as go-to scorers and table setters.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Knicks vs Mavericks Wednesday: Lineups, Injury Reports & Broadcast Info
Jalen Brunson picked a great time to have a career season. He is averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game, all of which are career-highs. Dallas will certainly do everything they can to keep him in free agency but expect the New York Knicks to aggressively pursue him as well.
