Knox arrives at Unicaja after seven seasons in the NBA

Kevin Knox is now officially a player for Unicaja. The Malaga team has finalized the signing of the American forward until the end of the season, pending only the medical examination when the player arrives in Malaga. Knox, a native of Phoenix, is thus facing his first challenge in European basketball, leaving behind an extensive career in American competitions that has allowed him to accumulate experience at different levels of the profession.

From Kentucky to the NBA: Knox's Initial Path

The trajectory of Kevin Knox began at the University of Kentucky during the 2017-18 season, where he played a single campaign that allowed him to leave a deep mark in college basketball. In his only year as a Wildcat, he averaged 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, figures that earned him a spot on the All-Freshman and overall All-Conference teams of the Southeastern Conference. His performance was so noteworthy that he was named the conference's Rookie of the Year, which accelerated his entry into the profession.

The 2018 NBA Draft arrived with high expectations for Knox. The New York Knicks selected him with the ninth pick, hoping that the young forward could become an important piece for the future of the New York franchise. In his debut season with the Knicks, Knox partially met expectations, averaging 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, demonstrating that he possessed valuable offensive tools to compete in the best league in the world.

An NBA Career Marked by Inconsistency

Despite his promising start in New York, Kevin Knox was unable to maintain the expected consistency during his nearly four years with the Knicks. His time in the NBA extended over seven seasons, but he never managed to find the regularity that would allow him to establish himself as a permanent rotation player. In total, he played 320 games in the competition, accumulating averages of 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, with a 34% success rate from three-point range.

After leaving New York, Knox went through different franchises in search of finding his place in the NBA. His journey took him to the Atlanta Hawks in 2022, the Detroit Pistons twice (2022-23 and 2023-24), the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023, and finally to the Golden State Warriors during the 2024-25 season. Despite the opportunities in competitive teams, he never managed to establish himself as a key element in any of these organizations.

The Resurgence in the G League

Kevin Knox's career found new momentum in the G League, the NBA's development league. Competing with the affiliate teams of different franchises, Knox demonstrated the offensive talent that had characterized him during his college years. His most recent and notable participation came with the Windy City Bulls during the 2025-26 season, where he regained prominence and showed significantly better numbers than those he had registered in the NBA.

In 26 regular season games with the Windy City Bulls, Knox averaged 21.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, figures that reflect his offensive capacity when given consistent minutes. His shooting percentages were particularly relevant: 46.4% from the field, 41.4% from three-point range, and 83.6% from the free-throw line. These numbers demonstrated that Knox maintained his qualities as a shooter and that the lack of opportunities, rather than a lack of talent, had limited his projection in the NBA.

The Brief Stint in Orlando and Arrival in Europe

Before landing at Unicaja, Kevin Knox had one last opportunity in the NBA with the Orlando Magic during the 2026 preseason. However, the Florida franchise decided not to keep him on their roster after completing the training camp before the regular season, leaving Knox without options in the American competition. This decision opened the door for the forward to make the leap to Europe, a completely new experience in his professional career.

The signing with Unicaja addresses the needs of the Malaga team, which sought to strengthen its rotation following the injuries to Tyson Pérez and Yannick Nzosa. Knox, at 2.03 meters tall, brings versatility in the offensive zone and can play both as a forward and as a power forward, positions that align with the tactical needs of the Andalusian team. The player will wear the number 11 in the Endesa League and the Basketball Champions League.

Qualities and Expectations in the Endesa League

The characteristics of Kevin Knox make him an interesting signing for European basketball. His athletic profile, ability to attack the rim, and threat from the perimeter allow him to thrive in different offensive situations. Knox stands out for his mobility and physical attributes, which provide him with resources to play outside, take advantage of space, and contribute to rebounding, an important aspect in the Endesa League.

Knox's ability to score both close to the basket and from the three-point line makes him a versatile piece that can offer alternatives to the offensive game of Unicaja. His wingspan allows him to defend multiple positions, while his NBA experience, despite not being consistent, provides him with a competitive mindset and high-level game knowledge. The arrival of the American to European basketball represents an opportunity for both the player, who seeks to regain prominence, and the Malaga team, which needs reinforcements in its outside rotation.

With his integration, Unicaja completes its interior game with a player capable of combining physicality, mobility, and outside threat, characteristics that will be crucial for their performance in the Endesa League and in European competition. Knox will have the chance to demonstrate that his performance in the G League was not an anomaly but a reflection of a player who needed minutes and confidence to express his offensive potential.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Knox llega al Unicaja tras siete temporadas en la NBA