Draft week is finally here. I've been through all the prospects at some point over the past few months, so I won't be diving into any more details here. Here are my final thoughts on what the Knicks should do at each spot and why, and at the end, I'll also take a brief look at the NBA trade market and free agency.
The Knicks would be hard-pressed to screw this up at number eight given the flat nature of the draft and how many players that have a pretty high floor that will be on the board for them to choose from.
I have as many as twelve players I would be fine with if the Knicks selected them at eighth overall, and you can see my big board here.
Knicks fans should be satisfied if the team stays put at number eight and walks away with any of LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Deni Avdija, Isaac Okoro, Killian Hayes, Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, Tyrese Haliburton, Onyeka Okongwu, Obi Toppin, James Wiseman, or Kira Lewis. Ball, Edwards and Wiseman are not realistic targets, and it is unlikely Avdija (who is my favorite player outside the top three) is there at number eight either, but that's the cream of the crop.
Trading up into the top three to grab LaMelo Ball appears unlikely as reports indicate it would cost the No. 8 overall pick, Mitchell Robinson, and another asset. Given the uncertainty of the success of the top players in the class, such a move would be unwise.
Trading back is a possibility, but a move into the very end of the lottery could take the Knicks out of the zone where they could draft one of my top 12 players above. They could still draft players like Aaron Nesmith, Tyrese Maxey, Saddiq Bey, RJ Hampton, Tyrell Terry, or Desmond Bane.
Finding a partner that wants to trade up could be tough, given the flat nature of the draft class. The Celtics might be the best partner if they want to trade up to eighth overall and Onyeka Okongwu is still available. The Celtics have the 26th and 30th picks later in the first round that they can use to move up, and it would be a trade that would make sense for the Knicks.
The top seven picks will likely be Ball, Edwards, Wiseman, Avdija, Toppin, Williams, and Haliburton, which means the Knicks would choose between Hayes, Okoro, Vassell, Lewis, and Okongwu. My order of preference is as follows: Hayes, Okoro, Lewis, Vassell, Okongwu.
The Knicks also select at picks 27 and 38, and even though this draft may lack sure-fire stars at the top and a long list of star-potential players in the lottery, it is a deep class. There are a lot of prospects that project as long-term solid NBA role players that will be available after pick 20.
At 27, the Knicks should be hoping an impact player slips through the cracks and becomes available. Players to keep an eye on but unlikely to make it to 27 are include Cole Anthony, Malachi Flynn, Tyrell Terry, and Desmond Bane – but do not hold your breath on one of these dropping to the Knicks.
There will be a number of lead ball handlers that will likely be available for one or both of these picks. Nico Mannion, Devon Dotson, Cassius Winston, Theo Maledon, and Payton Pritchard should all be on the board for one or both of those picks, and could be targets if the Knicks do not draft a point guard at eighth overall.
Grant Riller is another scoring guard that could be a target. Long and hot-shooting Immanuel Quickley out of Kentucky could be a target at 38. Strong defender Yam Madar out of Israel could be a target at 38th overall. Tre Jones is a defensive oriented player than can run a team but lacks elite scoring and athleticism.
Waiting until 27th overall to take a shooter could be a bit risky. Josh Green has been rumored to be falling down boards but he is unlikely to be there. Isiah Joe might be their best bet at a high-level shooter this late in the draft.
There are a few athletic forwards that could be available this late the Knicks could target. Robert Woodard is a combo forward that is one of the better athletes in the class. Jaden McDaniels is another wing with a ton of a potential, but some scouts seem to question his intangibles and consistent approach to the game. Elijah Hughes, a scoring forward from Syracuse, is another target. Tyler Bey would be a more defensive oriented possibility. Woodard would be my first pick from this group followed by Hughes.
There will also be a number of big men that the Knicks could target with their final two picks. Versatile Xavier Tillman, rugged Isaiah Stewart, oft-injured Killian Tillie, and talented Zeke Nnaji could be there when the Knicks pick in both spots. Tillman is my favorite of this group.
If the Knicks prefer a draft and stash player since they are unlikely to roster all the players they select with their seven picks this year and next, slick passing Leandro Bolmaro would be their target if he is available at 27. This becomes more possible if the Knicks buy an additional second round pick. There will be cash-strapped teams that are looking to cut their losses due to the pandemic.
The Knicks should try to leave this draft with a point guard, a wing, and at least one shooter. Drafting a big man that can spread the floor in addition to a wing and point guard (both of which that can also preferably shoot) would be preferable. Reports indicate that playmaking and shooting will be the team's priorities.
They should also prioritize improving their athleticism. The Knicks lack high level athletes that consistently pressure opposing defenses. RJ Barrett and Julius Randle could get to the rim but their games were more about power than blazing speed or explosive elevation. The Knicks need players that can change a game with their athleticism.
Notes on Potential Trades and Free Agency
* It sounds as though the Knicks are only interested in Russell Westbrook if it is a virtual salary dump. I would argue that they shouldn't be interested in him at all, but understanding he isn't worth giving up anything of significant value for is a small step in the right direction. It also appears the Rockets are not interested in moving him for little in return since they still want to make a title run with James Harden and keep him happy. I would keep an eye on the Hornets as a potential destination given his connection to Jordan brand. Recent rumors indicate the lack of a market for Westbrook might push Houston to trade James Harden instead.
* The trade season for the Knicks begins Monday at noon up until the NBA Draft. It will be interesting to see if any of their veterans on partial-guarantees for next season have any value to other teams.
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