MILES McBride

McBride's value starts with his jumper. Last season he shot 41.3 percent from three and 42.3 percent from the field. His true shooting mark was 57.8. He made 78.7 percent of his free throws. That profile fits next to ball-dominant teammates. He does not need many touches to make a difference, and he rarely gives the ball away. At 6-2 and 195 pounds, he gives up size to many guards, and his rebounding (2.4 a game) reflects that. Defense and spacing are what keep him on the floor. If the three-point number holds near 41.3 percent this season, he stays a useful piece for any rotation, whatever his role in New York turns out to be.

McBride's October numbers look nothing like last season. He has not topped 18.6 minutes in any October game. His best scoring night was 9 points in 13.5 minutes in a win over Toronto on Oct. 15, when he was plus-14.0. Two nights earlier against Toronto, he had 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 18.6 minutes, but was minus-23.0 in a loss. He scored 3 points against Minnesota on Oct. 12 and 3 against Philadelphia on Oct. 20. On Oct. 5 against Philadelphia, he did not score in 11.8 minutes but had 3 assists and was plus-7.0. The Knicks lost most of these October games. The playing time is the story for now.

McBride's last stretch of meaningful games came in June against the Spurs. His role there was small. On June 5 he had 5 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 18.3 minutes in a Knicks win. After that, he did not score again in the series. He played 8.7 minutes in a June 8 loss, 7.2 minutes in a June 10 win and 12.9 minutes in a June 13 win. The Knicks won three of those four games. His impact numbers swung from plus-3.0 to minus-14.0. The June games showed a player squeezed down the rotation. October so far has looked much the same.

McBride's contract future has followed him since the end of summer. In early September, he was listed among the Knicks' extension candidates. On Sept. 26, he was reported to be "a little disappointed" by how his extension talks had gone. No deal has been reported since. On Oct. 18, Jared Schwartz reported more Knicks notes on McBride, along with notes on M. Brown, Wiseman and Drummond. Until something is signed, all of this is reporting, not a done deal. The context matters. McBride is 26, and last season he scored 12.0 points a game and shot 41.3 percent from three. Those numbers support his side in a negotiation. His smaller October role does not help.

McBride wears No. 2 for the Knicks and plays guard. He is 6-2, 195 pounds and 26 years old. He played his college ball at West Virginia and is in his fifth NBA season. He is not on the injury report and has no listed injury history. That makes his role a coaching decision, not a medical one. He has been available all of October. The question is how many minutes the Knicks want to give a guard who shot 41.3 percent from three last season. His playing time and his contract status are the two things to watch as the season gets going.