Afflalo to make Knicks debut vs. Hornets

The suddenly relevant New York Knicks will add a relevant player to their lineup Wednesday night.

Offseason signing Arron Afflalo, who's yet to suit up in the regular season due to a left hamstring strain, will finally get his Knicks career underway against the Charlotte Hornets.

Afflalo will draw the start at shooting guard, sending Sasha Vujacic to the bench. As rusty as Afflalo may be, he should represent a significant upgrade, as Vujacic - who played just two NBA games since 2011 entering this season - has predictably struggled.

In 23 minutes per game, Vujacic is shooting 30.5 percent from the field and 18.5 percent from 3-point range, and the Knicks have been 8.5 points per 100 possessions worse with him on the floor.

Through eight games, the Knicks are improbably a .500 team, and they'll go for their fifth win Wednesday. Last year, they didn't get win No. 5 until Dec. 12.

A healthy Afflalo should make them better, especially in regard to their 26th-ranked true shooting percentage (51.2). In 78 games between the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers last season, the 30-year-old averaged 13.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while shooting 35.4 percent from beyond the arc.