Can Michael Kidd-Gilchrist finally meet expectations with the New York Knicks?

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (left, with former teammate Jeffery Taylor) (Mike Kalasnik, Wikimedia Commons)

When Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was selected second overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2012 NBA Draft, there were huge expectations from the forward out of the University of Kentucky. Well, after eight NBA seasons, one could make the argument that Kidd-Gilchrist has never really played up to the hype after a respectable first season where he was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team.

In eight NBA seasons with the Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets, and Dallas Mavericks, Kidd-Gilchrist has only averaged 8.4 points per game, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Only twice in Kidd-Gilchrist’s career, has he averaged in the double digits in scoring. The first time came in 2014-15 with the Hornets, as he averaged 10.9 points per game. The second time came in 2015-16 with the Hornets, as he averaged 12.7 points per game.

As Kidd-Gilchrist’s career has evolved, he seems to have regressed more than progressed. This past season while sharing his time with the Mavericks and Hornets, Kidd-Gilchrist only averaged 2.4 points per game, including an abysmal 0.9 points per game in 13 contests in Dallas.

Now Kidd-Gilchrist is now having a chance to resurrect his career with a rebuilding New York Knicks squad. According to Spotrac, he signed a one-year contract worth $2.3 million on Saturday.

With the Knicks, Kidd-Gilchrist will play behind veteran Julius Randle at power forward, but could see some more action at small forward, if the Knicks think first-round pick Obi Toppin needs more time to develop. The Knicks are not in a winning mode now or even next year. It would not be surprising if even New York considers trading the 27-year-old Kidd-Gilchrist to continue their rebuild.

Kidd-Gilchrist has time to change his career around. This may be the last best chance he has of proving to the NBA world of his second overall pick worth. When Kidd-Gilchrist was initially selected eight years ago, Josh Benjamin of Bleacher Report, stated the former Wildcat had the “athleticism” and “determination” that were a “coach’s dream.” Well, Hornets fans have every right to be disappointed, because they could have had one of a few other notable players on their team instead. The list includes Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond, Draymond Green, and Khris Middleton.

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