The New York Knicks expect big things from Argentinian point guard Luca Vildoza next season, after landing him on a four-year, $13.6 million deal, which isn’t fully guaranteed.
Vildoza is a smooth PG, offering adequate shooting and vision during his days in the EuroLeague with Baskonia. At 25 years old, he has plenty of experience performing against quality opponents, but not as good as he will face in the NBA during the 2021-22 season.
Last season, Vildoza averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 assists, and shot .410 from the field. He also connected on .376 of his shots from 3-PT, attempting 4.8 per game. While statistics abroad don’t seem as lofty, his impact was tremendous, and plenty of NBA teams were seeking his services for the future.
Vildoza posted multiple videos on Tuesday, showcasing his shooting prowess from range and creating space in the paint.
In the clip above, Luca carries the ball across midcourt and pulls up for a smooth jumper, proving he has the adequate range to hit in the NBA. Working on his off-the-dribble three-point mechanics is essential, as the Knicks desperately need a player who can offer production in that facet.
As the league has quickly adapted to a more 3-PT centric mentality, New York must keep up with the times, and Vildoza offers solid mechanics in that regard and is clearly working tirelessly on progression.
The next clip offers a look at his ability to create space in the paint, backing into his defender and using a step-back jumper to find the basket. There is no question that he is a smooth shooter with athleticism and range from all points on the court. Of course, perfecting these scenarios in practice is one thing and translating it to a live game is another.
The Argentinian native has already received glowing reviews from former Knick Pablo Prigioni, who currently works with Minnesota’s coaching staff. He even indicated that Vildoza is coming into the NBA as a more skilled player and simply lacks experience due to his age, but that’s a factor that will improve over time.
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