Boston Celtics: 3 replacements for Brad Wanamaker as C’s primary backup point guard
By Mark Nilon
Brandon Knight
In 2019-20 Brandon Knight found a new home… or, rather, a familiar home in Detroit. Returning to the Pistons, Knight was a 39 percent shooter in over seven attempts per game during his nine game stint in the Motor City.
After the Pistons tore down the roster by getting rid of its most senior member and a beloved Michigander in Andre Drummond, the tank was on. Particularly with Blake Griffin suffering from various ailments and eventually being shut down, Knights’s role expanded. Knight was part of the return haul for Drummond in the deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It’s been a few rocky years for Knight, who was once part of the deal for Eric Bledsoe to the Phoenix Suns. Knight’s torn ACL was the catalyst for a rough stretch for the former Kentucky Wildcat. He missed the entire 2017-18 season and didn’t play much when he returned for the Houston Rockets.
After cashing in on contracts in the $13 million-$15 million range the past few seasons, Knight may have to settle for a deal well below that in free agency. As an eight-year veteran, he can add experience to the team that Wanamaker will likely never attain in the league.
Though the past few years have been a bit rocky for the 28-year-old, Knight is still a career 14.1 point, 4.0 assist and 3.1 rebound per game player on 41 percent shooting from the floor and 35 percent shooting from deep.
Finally with an uptick in his minutes, prior to the season’s suspension the point guard was starting to prove himself worthy yet again with the Pistons, posting 11.6 points and 4.2 assists per game on 39 percent shooting from deep.
It’s evident that Brandon Knight is fighting for his NBA career with every minute he logs. Perhaps the point guard whisperer himself Brad Stevens could manage to get the most out of the former eighth overall selection.
With the talent Knight actually does possess — despite what recent seasons may suggest — landing him on a one year “prove it” deal may be a solid route for the C’s to take in regard to bolstering their primary backup one guard slot.