This is my Big Board specifically designed for the Knicks. While I am of the belief the Knicks should draft the best available player, I am de-emphasizing big men in my rankings due to the presence of Mitchell Robinson and the decreasing value of centers. I prioritize playmaking, shooting, and defense.
Tier 1
1. Point Guard LaMelo Ball: I get the risks with the bad interviews, questionable jumper, poor shot selection, potential off-court drama, and questions about fitting into a NBA team concept, but his other-worldly court vision combined with his size gives him lead playmaker potential. His overseas experiences might make him more mature than he is given credit for.
2. Wing Anthony Edwards: Much like Ball, Edwards has bust potential given his lack of consistent effort, poor shot selection, and willingness to settle for a contested jumper. But his athleticism gives him the best chance in the class to be a dominant NBA scorer. Bust potential here if he never matures and develops a NBA mindset.
Tier 2
3. Forward Deni Avdija: His under 60 percent lifetime free throw percentage gives scouts reasonable pause, but his ability to shoot far more consistently in the future is something I buy. He has size, excellent court vision, and is an extremely smart player on both ends of the floor in a power forward body. He is my safest player in the draft and the Knicks should dance in the streets if they get him.
4. Wing Isaac Okoro: Okoro’s shooting, or lack thereof, is a legitimate concern. If he never develops a workable jump shot he is ranked too high here but his defense is elite with high level NBA athleticism and developing playmaking ability. He is a perfect NBA wing. I have gone back and forth with Okoro and Hayes in this ranking for the past few months but Okoro’s superior athleticism gave him the nod.
5. Point Guard Killian Hayes: Hayes is a future bet. He is very young and was turnover prone in his one season running the show in Germany. He flashes the ability to shoot off the dribble, but his three point shooting was poor. He does make free throws at a high rate and finishes well around the rim. He is a very good passer and defends with great size. His make or break attribute for me will be whether his athleticism is good enough to operate against NBA guards.
Tier 3 (these are the last players the Knicks can reasonably select at No. 8)
6. Guard Tyrese Haliburton: The ultimate winner that has every intangible a team would want. He can shoot off the catch, pass at an elite level, is an extremely smart player on both ends and is an excellent leader. He does not get to the hoop well or shoot off the dribble much due to a funky form. His slim frame and below average twitch also limits his one on one defensive ability but he is an excellent team defender. Probably more of an off-ball player than full-time point guard.
7. Point Guard Kira Lewis Jr.: A vary fast point guard with the ability to create his own shot off the dribble by getting to the hoop. He is a bit undersized with a small frame with good but not great playmaking and shooting ability. His defense will be limited by his size, but he has potential to be a starting NBA point guard due to his speed and quickness.
8. Patrick Williams: I have moved Williams ahead of Vassell in my rankings due to his ridiculous athletic profile and the fact he has flashed the ability to do just about everything (albeit in small samples) in college as a combo-forward. He is raw but in five years he could be the best player in the class.
9. Devin Vassell: A classic 3 and D player, Vassell can shoot off the catch and has flashed shooting and shot creation off the dribble. He is an elite team defender, though his lack of high-level athletic twitch and quickness might limit him against quicker guards and wings. His low volume of three point attempts might also be a red flag.
10. Onyeka Okongwu: A perfect young NBA center that can rim run, finish with both hands, flash good footwork and protect the rim defensively. He mirrors Mitchell Robinson’s skillset too much. If they draft him look for a Robinson trade shortly thereafter.
11. James Wiseman: Has more potential than Okongwu due to his raw size, but hasn’t proven he can do the things a team needs their starting center to do in the NBA: consistently protect the rim, catch alley-oops, defend in space.
12. Obi Toppin: He is the most polished offensive player in the draft with Amar’e Stoudemire-esque ability. Unfortunately he also defends like Stoudemire, and is already 22 years old. Can a 6’9 power forward that can’t rim protect or guard wings survive in the NBA? Scouts think his IQ will make him passable defensively. We’ll find out. He would fit decently next to Mitchell Robinson. He will likely be a top seven pick on draft night.
Tier 4 (Players in this tier are ones the Knicks can target in a trade down to the late lottery)
13. Tyrese Maxey: A 6’3 combo-guard that defends well and can score, but is not a consistent perimeter shooter or an upper-echelon athlete. He is not a point guard but might lack the traits necessary to be a NBA two-guard.
14. Aaron Nesmith: He is an excellent shooter but probably not as good as his 52% from behind the arc in his 14 games as a sophomore at Vanderbilt would indicate. He is 6’6 but is a below-average athlete, which limits his ability to defend, get to the rim, and finish.
15. Tyrell Terry: A smaller combo guard that can shoot it from anywhere, on the catch or off the dribble. He is also a developing playmaker, but his lack of size might limit his ability to defend.
16. Saddiq Bey: A strong bodied 3 and D player that should have a role in the NBA for a long time.
17. Desmond Bane: He can shoot extremely well (44% from three on 7 attempts per game), is a good teammate, developing passer, and strong defender. If you want a safe pick, you can argue he could be near the top of this tier.
18. RJ Hampton: There are real questions about his shooting and defense which are poor, but he if he figures those out he is one of the best athletes in the draft with near unlimited potential.
19. Alexi Pokusevski: A freakishly talented rail-thin seven footer than played against poor competition in Greece. Will he ever be able to defend in the NBA? If he can, his combination of shooting playmaking gives him a high ceiling.
Tier 5 (hope one of these guys is available at 27)
20. Josh Green: Another 3 and D player that has flashed the ability to get to the basket as a cutter.
21. Malachi Flynn: An older prospect at 22 years old, Flynn can do a little bit of everything as a ball-handler and projects as a steady point guard in the pros.
22. Cole Anthony: Anthony is a scorer but his shot at North Carolina did not look consistent enough. He played for a bad team with poor spacing but could put it all together as a starter or sparkplug off the bench.
23. Leandro Bolmaro: A slick-passing playmaking big-wing with defensive potential. He is stuck in Europe for at least a couple more years but he flashes some Manu Ginobli in his game if he can ever put it all together.
Tier 6 (likely group to chose from at 27 and 38)
24. Isaiah Joe: A sniper that can shoot from anywhere, whether on the catch or off the dribble, but needs work in the other areas of his game.
25. Precious Achiuwa: A true stretch four with the ability to be a little bit more if he can put it all together.
26. Jalen Smith: A big man that can shoot but must still improve on his defense.
27. Robert Woodard: A versatile forward that can score but he needs to continue to improve the jumper and his ability to create his own shot.
28. Nico Mannion: A top high school star that had good production as a freshman at Arizona. He can pass and shoot but lacks an explosive first step.
29. Cassius Winston: A great passer and shooter that was a constant winner at Michigan State, but he might struggle defensively and lacks NBA level size and athleticism.
30. Grant Riller: A 6’3 scorer from the College of Charleston. He is a career 36% three point shooter and finishes well at the rim. He is an older prospect that will turn 24 in February.
31. Elijah Hughes: A smooth high scoring wing from Syracuse that can put the ball in the hoop in a variety of ways.
32. Devon Dotson: Fast penetrator that can score in the paint but needs to work on his jumper.
33. Immanuel Quickley: Only 6’3 but has a 6’10 wingspan with a sweet jumper. Lacks playmaking ability.
34. Tre Jones: A tough minded defensive-minded point guard from Duke that can run a team but struggles shooting and taking defenders off the dribble.
35. Jaden McDaniels: Has tremendous raw talent but had an uneven freshman season that made some scouts question his maturity.
36. Xavier Tillman: A versatile big-man that is not a great athlete but has a lot of versatility as an offensive player.
37. Zeke Nnaji: A big man with athletic and shooting potential to be a two-way player.
38. Isaiah Stewart: A more traditional defensive oriented big man that hustles and has a post-game.
39. Tyler Bey: A rugged, defensive oriented forward that does the little things to help a team win games.
40. Theo Maledon: A French point guard that lacks elite athleticism but has good size, can run a team and can defend the position. Long term NBA back-up.
Tier 7 (The Rest)
41. Paul Reed: A versatile interior defender.
42. Cassius Stanley: A good athlete with a high motor that can grow into something more.
43. Jahmi’us Ramsey: He can score in bunches but is inefficient and struggles on defense.
44. Ty-Shon Alexander: Hard working guard that can defend and make an open shot.
45. Yam Madar: Good athlete that works hard and defends, but his defense needs to improve.
46. Payton Pritchard: Senior guard from Oregon that does everything he can to help his team win games.
47. Killian Tillie: An oft-injured big man that has all the skill on both ends you want from a NBA big.
48. Vernon Carey: A big man that lacks the defensive chops to guard in the modern NBA.
49. Sam Merrill: A senior guard that can shoot and pass well, but he lacks elite NBA measurables and athleticism.
50. Jay Scrubb: A junior college player that chose to come out in the draft instead of transferring to a Division 1A program.
Follow John Schmeelk on Twitter: @Schmeelk
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch