On the downside, the club was unable to add a bonafide star to the fold. While Walker is a four-time All-Star with an array of impressive highlights as the leader of the Hornets, injury concerns have caused his career to take a stark downturn since he departed Charlotte.
Before Fournier’s Olympic outburst, his NBA career had also taken a downturn after being traded from Orlando to Boston during last season’s trade deadline. Both are talented players. But both carry question marks.
The potential scoring output by Walker and Fournier is interesting, neither are known of their defensive abilities. It will be quite interesting to see how they mesh with a Knicks franchise whose identity is based on their stellar team defense.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau is known for his ability to help any player unlock their defensive potential. When you factor in a rotation that also includes Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, and Alec Burks, this particular backcourt will test this ability more than any other.
While the majority of the marquee free agents have found homes, there are still at least three helpful free agents currently remain on the market. New York would be wise to consider adding one of these wing defenders to the fold.
New York Knicks</a>‘ 2021 free agency period has received mixed results from analysts and fans. On one hand, the franchise was able to bolster their depth by adding a number of defensive-minded, familiar, pieces. They also managed to add talented players to address their biggest postseason liability: shot creation. The addition of guards Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier should provide the offense with a noticeably high ceiling.</p>
<h2>New York Knicks: The issues remaining</h2>
<p>On the downside, the club was unable to add a bonafide star to the fold. While Walker is a four-time All-Star with an array of impressive highlights as the leader of the Hornets, injury concerns have caused his career to take a stark downturn since he departed Charlotte.</p>
<p>Before Fournier’s Olympic outburst, his NBA career had also taken a downturn after being traded from Orlando to Boston during last season’s trade deadline. Both are talented players. But both carry question marks.</p>
<p>The potential scoring output by Walker and Fournier is interesting, neither are known of their defensive abilities. It will be quite interesting to see how they mesh with a Knicks franchise whose identity is based on their stellar team defense.</p>
<p>Head coach Tom Thibodeau is known for his ability to help any player unlock their defensive potential. When you factor in a rotation that also includes Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, and Alec Burks, this particular backcourt will test this ability more than any other.</p>
<p>While the majority of the marquee free agents have found homes, there are still at least three helpful free agents currently remain on the market. New York would be wise to consider adding one of these wing defenders to the fold.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/08/new-york-knicks-3-defense-first-guards-left/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Avery Bradley </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-120738" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/08/new-york-knicks-3-defense-first-guards-left/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1313318346-1.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1313318346-1.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1313318346-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Avery Bradley, New York Knicks. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>New York Knicks: Avery Bradley</h2>
<p>Avery Bradley has long held a reputation as a top-tier “Three-and-D” player. At his very best, he was a 15 point per game scorer and an NBA All-Defensive First-Time talent (2016). While the 11-year veteran’s game has tapered off a bit in recent years, his baseline production is still present.</p>
<p>The Knicks have already addressed their recent offensive woes. What they need now is a wing defender who can match up against the opponent’s leading guards.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old Bradley would be a solid candidate for these responsibilities. New York would not need him to start. They wouldn’t even need him to play major minutes. They simply need a player who can help contain top perimeter talents as needed.</p>
<p>Bradley would naturally bring a defensive boost to NYC. His 36% career mark as a three-point shooter would also allow him to space the floor by forcing opposing defenders to honor his marksmanship.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/08/new-york-knicks-3-defense-first-guards-left/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Josh Hart </a>
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There was some speculation about Hart</a> potentially landing in NY at the beginning of the summer.</p>
<p>With proper coaching and opportunity, Hart could be a key rotation player for New York in 2021. At just 26 years old, he would also be a potential contributor for years to come.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/08/new-york-knicks-3-defense-first-guards-left/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Dante Exum </a>
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Reports began to emerge that he was finding his footing as a defender during his inaugural season with the club. By the 2021 season, Exum’s defense <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/08/new-york-knicks-3-defense-first-guards-left/"https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/cavs/2021/01/04/dante-exums-defense-defines-his-role-cavs/4125061001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received public praise</a> as it became his chief contribution to the young squad.</p>
<p>If the Thibodeau factor were applied, there would be a clear path toward the 6’6″ guard becoming a key stopper on the 2021 New York Knicks. His combination of size and length would give the staff a logical replacement for the recently departed Frank Ntilikina.</p>
<p><em><strong>Honorable Mentions: Ronda Hollis-Jefferson and Wesley Matthews</strong></em></p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Is Quentin Grimes being overlooked?" data-url="https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/07/ny-knicks-quentin-grimes-summer-league-potential/" data-call-to-action="Next"
> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/08/new-york-knicks-3-defense-first-guards-left/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/08/07/ny-knicks-quentin-grimes-summer-league-potential/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Is Quentin Grimes being overlooked? </a> </div>
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