Pivotal year coming up for Kevin Knox

Former Kentucky standout Kevin Knox was a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft but he knows this is a pivotal season coming up for him with the New York Knicks. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau lost confidence in Knox last season over his defense and his playing time diminished the second half of the season. However, Knox told Marc  Berman of the New York Post he still believes he can guard four positions going into the final year of his original four-year contract.

“For myself, using my length, using my height and my body to really focus on rebounding and defending on the other end. I really feel I can guard 1-to-4. That’s what he (Thibodeau) really wants to see from me — locking in on that end,” Knox told Berman.

“He knows what I can do on the offensive end. He wants to see that defensive energy, the rebounding and really flying in transition and using my length all over the court.”

The Knicks have until the end of October to give Knox, 22, a contract extension but that seems unlikely to happen, especially after Knox missed summer league games because he had COVID.

Knox told The Post that he had to have the “right mindset” going into training camp and show what he can do.

“I’m going to have to figure out a way to stay on the court and get minutes. So I’m really not worried about the trades and everything else. I’m just worried about getting in the rotation and being on the court,” Knox, who lost weight and conditioning during his COVID battle, said.

Knox said his coach preaches working to earn minutes — much like UK coach John Calipari does.

“That’s my motivation — to play hard on both sides of the basketball court if I really want to be on the court,” Knox told The Post.