Schmeelk: Breaking Knicks' Draft Prospects Into Tiers

Related

As the NCAA Tournament progresses and I’m seeing a lot more of the prospects coming out in the 2019 NBA draft, I’m slowly developing preliminary tiers of players whom the Knicks should be considering with the first through fifth (or sixth) picks. I’ll list a lot more than five here because the situation is very fluid and a lot can change for me between now and June as I get more exposure to these players, but here are the guys who hold some intrigue to me as possibilities for the Knicks come June.  

Tier 1

Tier 2

I go back and forth on the order of the players in this tier. Jarrett Culver fits better if the Knicks get stars in free agency. If they don’t, Ja Morant’s upside might be too intriguing to pass up.

Ja Morant, PG, Murray State: His passing ability is an elite skill that will travel to the NBA as will his quickness that allows him to get into the paint whenever he wants. If he puts it all together he can become an elite point guard in the NBA. There are obstacles standing in the way of that outcome. Morant's lean frame --  he's 6-foot-3, 175 pounds --  makes it difficult for him to absorb contact and finish at the rim. His jump shot is a work in progress, though his high free-throw percentage gives reason for hope. His defense is a Trae Young-level dumpster fire. No one can argue, however, that he has all the traits you want in an NBA point guard and he has All-Star potential.

USA TODAY Images

Jarrett Culver, SG, Texas Tech: There aren’t many holes in Culver’s game, but he doesn’t have those super-elite skills that are likely to lead to stardom. He has the size (listed at 6-5 but probably closer to 6-7) and athleticism that will translate to the NBA level. He is a two-way player who defends well. He can score, pass and rebound. His long-range jumper (31.9 percent from 3-point range) is a bit worrisome, but he has shown enough to give confidence he’ll be able to be a secondary or tertiary scorer in the NBA. He is the perfect type of player to fit next to NBA stars.

Tier 3

RJ Barrett gives you offense in this group, Brandon Clarke is a defensive machine, and DeAndre Hunter gives a little of both.

RJ Barrett, SG, Duke: I know people probably think it’s really weird that Barrett is all the way down here, but I am not bullish on his move to the NBA. His ability to score is his one elite skill, and I’m not sure he has the requisite “wiggle” for it to translate to the NBA. He goes through and over people in college, and I don’t think that will work against bigger, stronger and more athletic competition at the next level. His jump shot is inconsistent (31.3 percent from 3-point range). His rebounding numbers are good, and while his 4.1 assists look good on the surface, he too often has tunnel vision for the hoop. Right now, no one would consider his defense a strength. The way he plays now, I see a very inefficient NBA scorer who struggles defensively. Right now, I’ll pass.

DeAndre Hunter, SF/PF, Virginia: One of the two best defensive players in college basketball (the other is next on this list), Hunter is a versatile NBA power forward who can guard five positions, shoot out to the 3-point line (42.9 percent on 3's) and create his own shot a little bit. He is a bit stiff and doesn’t change direction very well, but his length helps him get his shot off. His highest of high ceilings is Kawhi Leonard, but there’s only a minuscule chance he’ll get there.  

Brandon Clarke, PF/C, Gonzaga: An older player (will turn 23 in December), Clarke has been the best player on Gonzaga this season. Like Hunter, he is an NBA power forward who can guard multiple positions. He is a better rebounder and rim protector and finishes more efficiently at the rim (68.7 percent on field goals) than Hunter, but he lacks his range. Clarke's jumper needs a ton of refinement, as he has only attempted 15 3-pointers this season. His elite defense, however, makes him intriguing as a glue guy if the Knicks can land stars in free agency.

Tier 4

These are the guys (in no particular order) who can move up into consideration for the Knicks if they pick anywhere from fourth to seventh. I only include prospects who I would include here for the Knicks, which basically means I left out anyone I consider a true center due to Mitchell Robinson’s presence.

Coby White, PG/SG, North Carolina: Young combo-guard from Tar Heels who is only 19 years old

Jontay Porter, C, Missouri: He’s 6-11, but his shooting and playmaking make him a potential fit next to Mitchell Robinson.

USA TODAY Images

Cam Reddish, SG/SF, Duke: Looks like a great player but hasn’t played like one. His performance at Duke as a freshman has hurt his draft stock.

Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt: Only played five games before injuring his knee. His shooting and combo-guard versatility could make him instant offense in the NBA.

Kevin Porter, SG/SF, Southern California: Wildly inconsistent with questionable decision making, but he has the quickness, bounce and raw athletic traits that great guards have.

Talen Horton Tucker, SF, Iowa State: Only 18 years old, he is someone who is projectable as a scoring wing even if his college numbers as a freshman are underwhelming.