According to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto, the New York Knicks have signed Kevin McCullar Jr. to a two-way contract.
The New York Knicks and Kevin McCullar have agreed to a two-way contract, league sources told @hoopshype. McCullar earned All-Big 12 First Team honors this past season at Kansas. He was also named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and earned All-Big 12 Third Team honors in 2023. pic.twitter.com/ntU4TDysPp
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 5, 2024
McCullar, a fifth-year senior in 2023-24, played for Kansas in his final two seasons. In that time, the Texas native earned back to back All-Big 12 selections. After being selected in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, the 23-year-old will spend the bulk of his rookie season in the G League.
Knicks Sign Kevin McCullar, Will He Make An Impact?
While being the 56th overall pick lowers expectations, New York may be happy they landed McCullar. Unlike the players who bookended him in the draft, Bronny James and Ulrich Chomche, McCullar didn’t fall that far in the draft because he’s a project. In fact, it’s the other way around. As an older prospect, he theoretically has less potential than a younger player.
In other words, McCullar is what he is, for better or worse.
What McCullar probably isn’t is the type of player who excelled in shooting drills. In three seasons at Texas Tech, he made just 29.9 percent of his 3s. At Kansas, he wasn’t much better, shooting 31.6 percent from 3. In a league that places a premium on 3-point shooters, this instantly diminished his value in the draft.
However, McCullar shot 43 percent on left corner 3s in 2023-24 (h/t College Basketball Scouting). He also has a respectable effective field percentage (57 percent) on catch-and-shoot attempts.
All that is to say, there’s a chance he can improve his efficiency with better shot selection. As he’s naturally an attacking wing willing to score on- and off-ball, this’ll also help create space for him around the rim. Because he’s largely a below the rim scorer at 6-foot-5, this could be particularly beneficial.
He’s Not Just Anybody
While in Westchester with New York’s G League affiliate, McCullar will get a chance to keep working on his 3-ball. He’s unlike to become the next Splash Brother. However, the right coach could bring about a significant change in his performance. He’ll also be able adjust to the speed of the NBA and be introduced to some of the Knicks’ concepts.
As New York may play him in the event of an injury, they can’t afford to treat McCullar like he’s just anybody. He’s already got the defense down. Now, they just need to make sure he’ll be playable offensively.
