Kevin Knox’s name has been among the most popular in trading circles, so it’s entirely possible that he’s not on the roster every time next season starts. It is also not exactly the first person that comes to mind when considering the above criteria.
But he is athletic, with a wingspan of 6’11 ”and has the physical tools to become a valid defender in this championship. We’ve seen evidence of his anticipation and athleticism on glass and with poster dunks – the challenge for Thibs will be to get him to use that sheer skill to get into the fast lane and help the adjutant.
For what it’s worth, Knox’s defensive development is a top priority on his to-do list. He was quoted last season acknowledging that he spent the previous summer (before last season) focusing on improving that part of the floor. As someone who appears to honestly self-evaluate his game, the young striker likely realizes that his offensive play, while promising, doesn’t provide him with enough self-worth to gain important minutes by contributing only to one end of the pitch.
As long as he can hold players who are the same height and athletic build as him, Knox should no longer be a responsibility on defense, especially with Thibs’ emphasis and guardianship.