It is uncertain if Carmelo Anthony will be with the New York Knicks in the 2017-18 NBA season. If he leaves, the Knicks will surely need every player on its roster to step up if they want to be competitive. One guy that could help fill the void is Michael Beasley. The former second-overall pick signed with the team earlier this August.
In a recent interview with the New York Post, Beasley expressed confidence in his scoring ability. The new addition to the Knicks called himself a "walking bucket." He believes that no one in the league can defend him.
Unfortunately, his numbers from last season do not really show that he is an offensive threat. In 56 games for the Milwaukee Bucks, he only averaged 9.4 points per contest, which is the third-lowest in his career.
Despite the struggles Beasley experienced in the past few seasons, he is not discouraged. The 28-year-old is confident that if given the opportunity, he can prove that he is a scorer and earn the respect he deserves. If Anthony gets traded this offseason, there is a big chance Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek will be using Beasley to replace him in the lineup. This is going to grant Beasley the playing time he needs to show his scoring prowess.
Knicks sign undrafted prospects
Three young players are heading to New York after the Knicks signed them to be part of their training camp roster.
These are shooting guards Jamel Artis (Pittsburgh) and Xavier Rathan-Mayes (Florida State), together with forward Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin). All of them are going to fight for a spot on the final roster which is likely to be announced a few weeks before the new season begins. Artis already had the chance to play for the Knicks as he was part of the squad that competed in this year's NBA Summer League.
Knicks say they've signed Jamel Artis, Nigel Hayes & Xavier Rathan-Mayes. All 3 likely have partial guarantees and are signed for 1 year.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 18, 2017
Tim Hardaway Jr. ready for second run
Knicks assistant manager Allan Houston thinks Tim Hardaway Jr. is ready for his second stint with the team. On Friday, Houston told the New York Post that he is excited for Hardaway.
The former Knicks guard is convinced that the 25-year-old has "developed" and is "prepared" for another run in New York. Hardaway started his NBA career with the Knicks when they selected him with the 24th pick in the 2013 draft. In 2015, they traded him to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the draft rights of Jerian Grant. Hardaway played two seasons in Atlanta before rejoining the Knicks in July. The reunion surprised and confused a lot of basketball fans.
