The Knicks front office answered questions about young point guard Miles McBride, who is approaching his third pro season following his second-round selection by the Oklahoma City Thunder and subsequent move to New York.
McBride had 40 games as a rookie and played in 64 games last season, managing a 3.5-point average, shooting .358 from the field and .299 from beyond the three-point line.
While the data available is too minimal to draw any solid conclusions, McBride’s formidable defensive skills and vast untapped potential cannot be overlooked, particularly by a team that could exploit his skills.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the team has been receiving calls about McBride, pegging him as a potential trade candidate this offseason.
The ideal scenario for the Knicks would be to keep McBride, who can offer top-notch late-game defense and prove himself a capable scorer when given the opportunity.
While the Knicks may not model their offense around him, he stands as a sturdy developmental hunk at just 22, with plenty of time to carve out a role for himself. While he may not evolve into a primary starter, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound guard undoubtedly possesses the talent to become a dependable backup.
The Knicks have until June 29 to pick up McBride’s team option, and if he doesn’t roll out, we can assume they’ll keep him for the 2023-24 season.