In terms of ground clearance improvement over last year, the Knicks need the bare minimum. They need competent shooters.
Quickley was one of the best shooters on the whole project. It may seem like an overemphasis on one attribute, but shooting is key in today’s game. When your formation cannot shoot the ball from deep, the opposing defenses will make it much more difficult to get to the edge.
The Knicks gave Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle big minutes last season, and the result was a completely blocked attack. They are not only hindering the attack with the ball in hand, they are also affecting other teammates outside the ball.
If the Knicks are to continue and develop their best prospects, they must have the ball in their hands. Perhaps the Knicks’ most popular player, RJ Barrett, displayed impressive directing skills in his rookie year. One of Barrett’s greatest strengths is attacking the basket. Combine his strength with slimy dribbling moves to create space, and he’ll often try to kick an open teammate on the perimeter.
Quickley could be an elite shooter in the NBA, which is exactly what the Knicks need. The team should be thrilled to see how their late first round pick grows as a prospect in its own right, but it cannot be overlooked that it could play an important role in how the whole team develops and moves forward.