Reggie Bullock faced a lot of uncertainty when he was acquired by the New York Knicks in 2019. He underwent a cervical disc herniation, a reason why he played only a handful of games this 2019-20 NBA season.
Bullock has played in only 29 games, averaging 8.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per Basketball-Reference.com. And though these are far from impressive numbers any team would want from an NBA player, they are slightly bumped up figures compared to his career averages of 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
But beyond the numbers, it is the former UNC product's good percentage from the field that makes him worthy of being given a chance. He holds career averages of 49.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from the three-point region. With most teams needing a wingman, Bullock could blossom into one if he is given more minutes. He is averaging 19.7 minutes per game in his career.
And based on a recent report from the New York Post, it looks like Bullock will get that chance. The Knicks are reportedly likely to pick up the $4.2 million option of his contract for the 2020-21 NBA season. Despite his low production, it seems that the Knicks see something that most do not.
For a team that is seemingly finding direction, it would be best to focus on the word "likely". While Bullock has made an impression on interim head coach Mike Miller, a potential change in the coaching helm could alter the script. He has shown high basketball IQ in the games where he was fielded in. But when an opportunity to get another better-producing player comes up, New York could head in a different direction.
The Knicks are in total disarray although a change in management could finally straighten things out. Leon Rose has come in as the team's new president but the head coaching void remains a big question mark. Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau have been mentioned as possible next head coaches with the latter reportedly a favorite. Thibs has close ties with Rose and is seen by most to be calling the shots for Gotham by next NBA season.
Van Gundy loomed as a sensible choice considering he was successful the last time he handled the Knicks. That included reaching the 1998-99 NBA Finals where they bowed to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. The last time New York went past the regular season was during the 2012-13 NBA season under Mike Woodson. The Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, 4-2.
