Malaga has signed former NBA first-round pick Kevin Knox, a move that adds high-ceiling talent to a team already dominating the Basketball Champions League, BeBasket reported. The Spanish club, fueled by the stellar play of forward Amine Noua, is betting on Knox’s potential to help them contend for the BCL title.
Malaga Adds Former Knicks Forward Knox
Malaga secured the services of Kevin Knox, who was selected ninth overall by the New York Knicks in the 2018 NBA Draft. The move comes after Knox failed to earn a contract following NBA training camps, according to lmbasket.fr. Knox, a 6-foot-7 forward, has signed with the Unicaja club through the 2026-2027 season.
“When my agent presented this opportunity to come to a fantastic city with a great club, it was a true blessing,” Knox said, as reported by both outlets. “This club has done very well this year and in previous ones. I want to win here. Even though European basketball is different and the pace is slower, I think I can transfer 100 percent of my size, versatility, shooting, and rebounding ability here.”
A Seven-Year NBA Journey
Knox’s path to Malaga was marked by unfulfilled promise in the NBA. After a promising rookie season where he averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds and was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December, he never established himself as a consistent contributor, BeBasket noted.
Over seven NBA seasons, Knox played in 320 regular-season games for the Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors, the sources report. His career averages were 7.3 points on 34% 3-point shooting and 2.8 rebounds. He often found himself in a limited role at the end of benches.
His performance in the NBA G League, however, showed flashes of his potential. Knox averaged more than 20 points and 7 rebounds in the G League last season, lmbasket.fr reported, suggesting a higher level of production in a less demanding environment.
Knicks 2018 lottery pick Kevin Knox—who has played for 6 NBA and 3 G League teams—now heads overseas Knox has signed with Unicaja Málaga in the Spanish league pic.twitter.com/Xw5iFizvro
Noua Leads MVP Charge
Knox arrives in Malaga as a supporting piece to one of Europe’s most in-form players. Amine Noua, who joined the team this summer from Aris Salonique, is having a career-best start to the season and is a leading candidate for the BCL MVP award, BeBasket reported.
Through three BCL games, Malaga remains undefeated, with Noua leading the way. The French forward is averaging 22 points on 59.5% shooting and 55.6% from 3-point range, to go with 4 rebounds and a 21.3 efficiency rating, the sources state. Noua is also approaching his 200th appearance in European competitions.
The team’s success is built on a formidable home record. Malaga enters its next match riding a 21-game winning streak at home in BCL play, a run that provides significant confidence as the tournament progresses, lmbasket.fr noted.
A Potent New Duo
The addition of Knox creates a potentially formidable frontcourt pairing with Noua. While Knox’s NBA tenure was inconsistent, his physical tools—size, versatility, and shooting—align with the skills that have made Noua a dominant force in Europe. The combination could pose significant challenges for defenses in both the Spanish Liga Endesa and the Basketball Champions League, according to the reports.
Malaga’s management views the Knox signing as a calculated risk. The team’s strong foundation and current success mitigate the uncertainty of adding a player whose NBA career did not meet initial expectations, lmbasket.fr explained. The goal is clear: bring the BCL trophy back to Andalusia.
What’s Next for Malaga
With Knox now in the fold, Malaga will look to continue its winning ways in the BCL and maintain its position at the top of the Liga standings. The team’s next confirmed competitive action is its upcoming BCL match, where they will aim to extend their perfect start and home-winning streak.
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