All the way back in 2012, Anthony Davis was selected first in the NBA draft, and right after him, Michael Kidd Gilchrist was chosen second overall by the then Charlotte Bobcats. Fast forward to 2020, and Kidd-Gilchrist is on the New York Knicks, looking to rejuvenate his career after making a pitstop in Dallas last year.

Coming to New York was always a desire for the 6-foot-7 small forward. He grew up in Camden County, New Jersey. At 27 years old, he still has plenty of juice in his bones, representing a fantastic defensive player who can add to Tom Thibodeau’s strategy. However, it is going to be difficult to crack the starting roster with the Knicks stockpiling players at every position to add competitiveness during training camp.

“It’s home, right?’’ said Kidd-Gilchrist. “It’s home. I’ve always been a Knicks fan. My favorite players are Al Harrington and Andre Iguodala, although [Iguodala] didn’t play for the Knicks. Al Harrington is one of my favorite players ever and he played for the Knicks coming up.”

As a ninth-year veteran, Kidd-Gilchrest is looking to leave his mark on the locker room. His experience in the NBA will be extremely beneficial for some of the younger players like RJ Barrett and rookies Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley.

“It’s a talented group — young, active, lots of energy,’’ he said. “And I’m the vet of the locker room — which is crazy. It’s my ninth year in the NBA. Just being a leader, man, on and off the court.”

Last season with two different teams, Michael averaged 2.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and shot .333 from the floor. He only averaged 11.2 minutes per game, a significant drop off from his 18.4 the season prior. Bringing him to New York is a change of scenery after spending eight underwhelming seasons with Charlotte. He never managed to reach his potential after Michael Jordan selected him in 2012.

“Michael’s been around, he’s got a lot of different experiences,’’ Thibodeau said. “I think the challenge for him is the way our league has changed, he has to find a way to fit in. He’s always been a great competitor. Hopefully, he can add to the group, his experiences being a veteran, working hard. And he’s done that for us.”

The hopes are that Michael can add defensive prowess to the team, and while he’s not much of an offensive scorer, he can be a situational player that helps off the bench.

Thibodeau has a long journey ahead to find a consistent starting five this upcoming season, but he must find ways to put points on the board with a team that has struggled to do that in recent years. They didn’t add any elite scorers this offseason, but I expect Toppin to be a focal point moving forward.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Hurricanes not expected to re-sign defenseman, center
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Maple Leafs tab former Stanley Cup winner as new head coach
NFL insider expands on competition between Steelers QBs Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
NFL sets outrageous prices for Eagles-Packers Brazil game
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Broncos 'very unlikely' to bring back former NFL interceptions leader
Greg Olsen offers broadcasting advice to Tom Brady
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Mets star has theory about closer Edwin Diaz's recent struggles
Scottie Scheffler arrested, still makes PGA Championship tee time
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.