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2018 Orlando Magic NBA Draft Preview: Who is Kevin Knox?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

AUBURN, AL - FEBRUARY 14: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats fights for a loose ball against Mustapha Heron #5 of the Auburn Tigers during a game at Auburn Arena on February 14, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn defeated Kentucky 76-66. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - FEBRUARY 14: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats fights for a loose ball against Mustapha Heron #5 of the Auburn Tigers during a game at Auburn Arena on February 14, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn defeated Kentucky 76-66. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Kevin Knox, Kentucky Wildcats
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 14: Kentucky Wildcats forward Kevin Knox (5) shakes hands with Kentucky Wildcats guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22) and Kentucky Wildcats guard Hamidou Diallo (3) during the State Farm Classic Champions Classic game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kentucky Wildcats on November 14, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Final Word

Kevin Knox is a really intriguing bundle of athleticism. There is a lot to like from looking at him and watching him play.

With a head of steam in transition, Knox is solid finishing at the basket. This is where his athleticism is at its peak and where he can make the most of his play.

When Knox has space and room for comfort, he is a solid shooter. Even out to the 3-point line.

Those tools are all there. Knox looks like an impressive player to the eye and he put up good numbers for Kentucky last year. He still has a ton of room to grow as a player as one of the younger players in the Draft.

This is a guy who already seems like a natural scorer and someone who can grow into a solid game.

But he still has a long way to go to get there. Right now, his game is still pretty basic — finishing in transition and taking basic pull-up and dribble moves. At Kentucky, it worked with the ball in his hand. But that is not his role in the NBA. He will have to be better off the ball — especially improving his 3-point shot.

Knox right now is going to get the ball and when he drives looking to score. That means hoisting a lot of ill-advised mid-range jumpers and forcing a lot of drives. That is not his best attribute right now.

In fact, it is hard to point to anything that he does quite at a NBA level yet. He just has the potential to get there. All the tools are available.

Knox was still putting all the pieces together. He had things more together than a lot of players in Kentucky’s young crew. But Knox still has a lot of work to do.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft Preview: Who is Collin Sexton?

Still, his length and athleticism are promising. He does show flashes of the skill that could make him a really solid player. Finding his role if he is not the featured player will be the big question for his ultimate success.