Knicks signing former Wildcats star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s career hasn’t been what many dreamed it could have.

Kidd-Gilchrist’s offensive game never truly transformed to the speed and style of the NBA. His only valuable contributions have come defensively, but that’s been enough to keep him in the NBA, most recently playing for the Mavericks, a team that surprised many in the 2020 playoffs.

Kidd-Gilchrist has played the bulk of his career with the Hornets, the team that drafted him all those years ago. Now, he’ll get a shot in the Big Apple as he’s signing a one-year deal with the Knicks according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. He joins former Cats Kevin Knox, Julius Randle, Immanuel Quickley, Nerlens Noel and Kenny Payne in New York.

As Marks notes, Kidd-Gilchrist was absolutely one of the better free agents on the board. Standing 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, Kidd-Gilchrist had made a living as a lockdown defender, but he does have some offensive numbers to note.

Kidd-Gilchrist’s 47.4 percent field goal percent on his career is impressive and shows his ability to take quality shots. Despite only averaging double figures in one season which he’s played double-digit games, the potential is still there for the veteran forward if he sees a greater role with the Knicks.

His role, after he didn’t showcase that superstar upside, continued to diminish in Charlotte, especially after the signing of Nicolas Batum, the drafting of Malik Monk, and the continued presence of Marvin Williams.

That said, New York should be a fresh start for Kidd-Gilchrist, and as with veterans like Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III, hopefully that could transition into better numbers for the former Wildcat.

This is a win-win signing.

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