A look at who the Knicks might take in this year's draft
With the season nearing its end and the Knicks playoff hopes all but shattered it's time to take an early look at who Phil Jackson might draft with the team's lottery pick. After last night's loss to Milwaukee the Knicks are now 26-39 gaining more ping pong balls for the lottery with each game. The Knicks still haven't won back to back games since before Christmas so it's safe to say the team will continue to improve their chances of a top 6 draft pick by season's end. The upcoming draft has been said to be very top heavy with potential franchise players available if you have a top 10 pick. Luckily for the Knicks the odds of them dropping out of the top 10 are very slim which makes this upcoming draft extremely important to the future of this franchise.
Here's a look at some possible options:
PG De'Aaron Fox, Freshman Kentucky: 15.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.0 APG
It's no secret the Knicks will need a point guard this summer with Derrick Rose likely on his way out after one season in New York. This draft is a chance for the team to find their future point guard and Fox could be that guy. During his freshman campaign the 6'4 Fox has proven to be an explosive athlete with great speed and an ability to get to the rim. He's also a willing distributor with 5.0 assists per game. The one thing Fox seems to need work on is his perimeter shooting based on his 21% from three. Ideally the Knicks want a point guard who can shoot from three after getting zero perimeter shooting from Derrick Rose, but that's still no reason to pass on Fox's potential and athleticism if he's available in that 8 to 10 range.
SG Malik Monk, Freshman Kentucky: 21.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.4 APG
Another freshman stud out of Kentucky is the explosive scorer Malik Monk. Monk is probably the best pure scorer in this draft averaging over 21 points a game in the SEC including a 47 point outing earlier this season against UNC. Monk is undersized at 6'4 for a shooting guard, but he's a great athlete with all the skills you want in a go to scorer. The Knicks don't have a pressing need for a two guard with Courtney Lee, but they could use the backcourt help especially if Justin Holiday leaves in free agency. Monk has the chance to be a special scorer at the next level which is something every team would love to have whether he fits on the roster or not. If the Knicks have a pick from the 6-8 range Monk could be there guy.
SF Jayson Tatum, Freshman Duke: 16.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.3 APG
If the Knicks somehow manage to get the fifth or sixth pick in the draft Jayson Tatum would be an excellent pick. With the future of Carmelo Anthony on the Knicks still in question Tatum could be the future shooting forward if Melo gets traded this summer. Just like Melo the freshman Tatum stands 6'8 with a terrific mid range game and ability to shoot from the outside. He's also the same kind of athlete Melo was coming out of Syracuse, smooth, but not a guy whose going to jump out of the gym. His defense will need work, but Tatum would be a very solid choice to build the team around along with Kristaps Porzingis. Even if Melo stays he would be the perfect mentor for Tatum until he's ready to take over once Melo's contract is up.
PG Dennis Smith Jr, Freshman NC State: 18.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.2 APG
The final option is another freshman who is projected to be a top five pick. Smith Jr. is an incredible athlete with the kind of explosiveness you rarely see in a point guard. One pro comparison tossed around for Smith is Steve Francis. The Knicks would love to have that kind of production on their roster (Rockets' Steve Francis, not Knicks of course) and will give strong consideration to taking Smith if he's still around after the first four picks. Like Fox he needs to work on his jump shot, but he is the most polished scorer out of all the point guard prospects in the draft. Smith is also a very competitive defender which is something the Knicks would love to have out of their point guard. Although his NC State squad struggled all season Smith had some breakout games including two triple doubles and a very impressive 32 point, 6 assist outing in a winning performance at Duke.
