"Wanted Lauri Markkanen and got Kevin Knox" - Warriors fans underwhelmed by acquisition of former Knicks forward on one-year deal

The Golden State Warriors have signed Kevin Knox to a one-year deal, per The Athletic's Shams Charania. Knox could add energy and two-way play to the roster. However, missing out on Lauri Markkanen has left some Warriors fans disappointed in the wake of the new signing.

After struggling to find consistency last season, the Warriors were eliminated from the play-in tournament, ending their championship aspirations. Then, in the offseason, the team lost longtime franchise staple Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks.

They also waived Chris Paul, further trimming their roster for the season ahead. While the team hoped to acquire Markkanen, who was fresh off a 23.2 point-per-game season with the Utah Jazz, a deal never came to fruition.

Given that the team hasn't been able to fill out their roster the way they had hoped, there are serious questions regarding their chances in the Western Conference this season.

In response to the Kevin Knox signing this week, Warriors fans quickly weighed in.

"I wanted Lauri Markkanen and got Kevin Knox instead," a fan wrote.

"Steph is turning 37 and this is who the warriors are signing? another added.

Others also weighed in on what the signing means for the Warriors going forward.

"This is exactly what Curry needs to win another title," one joked.

"Kevin Knox as a vet is crazy," another added.

"They gone try to turn bro into a center," one suggested.

Looking at Kevin Knox's play in recent years ahead of 2024-25 season with the Golden State Warriors

Since being selected with the ninth pick of the 2018 draft by the New York Knicks, Kevin Knox has struggled to find consistency in the NBA. In the first season, Knox showed flashes of brilliance while impressing fans, averaging 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 37.0% shooting from the floor.

The following season, along with a reduction in minutes, Knox's averages plummeted to 6.4 ppg and 2.8 rpg.

After appearing in just 42 games in the 2020-21 season while averaging 3.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg, the Knicks traded Knox to the Atlanta Hawks the following year after just 13 games. In Atlanta, he again struggled to earn playing time, averaging 2.7 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 17 games.

After hitting free agency, Knox signed with the Pistons for the 2022-23 season. While his averages saw a slight uptick over 42 games, the Pistons traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg, his best numbers since his rookie season.

While he re-signed with Portland the following summer, he was then waived leading up to last season, which led to the Detroit Pistons bringing him back. In 31 games last season, Knox averaged 7.2 ppg and 2.4 rpg while playing 18.1 minutes per game.

Now, with a chance for a fresh start in Golden State, it will be interesting to see if he can improve his production under Steve Kerr.