Last week, I took a look at six potential prospects the Knicks will be choosing from when they select eighth in the NBA Draft.
Of course, there are numerous reports out there now that the Knicks may be interested in trading up or trading down, depending on what's available.
If they do move down into the late lottery or the early teens, here are some players they could consider:
Patrick Williams: Forward, 6'8, 225 pounds
Strengths: NBA body, versatile and high-level defender on and off-ball, can score in different ways, improving jumper off the dribble and off catch, athleticism and strength to get to rim and finish, can do a bit of everything, play-making potential
Weaknesses: Raw offensive game that could never reach potential if flashes don't become more consistent, 50 turnovers vs. 29 assists, struggles with quicker players one-on-one
Conclusion: Williams is one of the players with the highest potential in the draft. If his offensive game develops, he could become a high level multi-positional defender that can also score in different ways. His offense, however, has a long way to go to get there.
Aaron Nesmith: Wing, 6'6, 213 pounds
Strengths: Might be the best jump shooter in the draft, great elevating off of movement off the ball, reads screens well, smart player, good length and size
Weaknesses: Very limited athletically, struggles to take opponents off the dribble, doesn't elevate well enough to finish in traffic and through contact at the rim, lack of athleticism limits his defense
Conclusion: Hard to see how he becomes anything more than a role player asked to shoot the three. How good he becomes will depend on how much he can improve defensively. Think Doug McDermott.
Kira Lewis Jr.: Point Guard, 6'3, 165 pounds
Strengths: He might be the fastest player in the draft, can get to the rim and finish, improving three-point shot (37%), improving playmaker, good free throw shooter (which points to continued shooting improvement), tries hard on defense
Weaknesses: Can sometimes play too fast and get out of control, not an elite passer (especially in the half-court), frame and lack of strength could lead to him getting targeted on defense
Conclusion: When all is said and done, there is a chance he is the best point guard in the class… or his size could limit the ability of the rest of his skills to fulfill his potential and he falls into a Darren Collison role.
RJ Hampton: Wing, 6'5, 188 pounds
Strengths: One of the most athletic players in the draft, shows great potential on both ends of the court due to his natural talent, tools to becomes a good penetrator and finisher, one-on-one defense potential if he cleans up fundamentals, flashes passing ability
Weaknesses: Struggled playing Australia, poor shooter, doesn't look like he knows what to do defensively, poor fundamentals all-around, needs to get stronger
Conclusion: This is a player development and upside bet. He has all the tools but needs to clean up a lot on offense and defense and become more than just an athlete that plays basketball.
Saddiq Bey: Wing, 6'8. 216 pounds
Strengths: Typical NBA three-and-D prospect, good shooter off the catch and bounce, good decision maker, potential high-level multi-positional defender, good team defender
Weaknesses: Not a great athlete, inability to create and get to the rim to score one-on-one, not a high-volume three-point shooter
Conclusion: High-ceiling, low-floor prospect that should be a good off-ball shooter and floor spreader on offense, while excelling as a wing defender.
Aleksej Polkusevski: Forward, 7'0, 201 pounds
Strengths: Guard skills in a seven-footer's body, shooting shows potential, can do things as a playmaker and driver that players his size should not be able to do, great feet, pick-and-roll creator, 7'3" wingspan
Weaknesses: Rail thin, played in a league with extremely low-level competition, frame might prevent him from ever becoming a NBA rotation player, does not protect rim despite size, jumper inconsistent, shot selection/decision making suspect
Conclusion: The ultimate boom or bust pick. He could become a game-altering unique 7-footer, or flame out because he never gains the strength necessary to cut it in the NBA.
Cole Anthony: Guard, 6'3, 190 pounds
Strengths: Scorer, can shoot it from all over the floor, efficient one-on-one player, can get to the rim, good ball-handler, pick-and-roll player, tries hard on defense, was in bad situation at North Carolina with poor floor spacing
Weaknesses: Shot selection is poor, extremely inefficient despite scoring talent, not a high-level playmaker, will struggle defensively against very athletic NBA guards
Conclusion: Anthony is an enigma. Were his poor numbers in college a product of a bad situation with no spacing at North Carolina, or a problem with his skillset? Does he have the athleticism to consistently create efficient offense for himself in the NBA? Will his shooting improve with better shot selection? Many experts think he may drop all the way into the 20s on draft day.
Tyrese Maxey: Guard, 6'3, 198 pounds
Strengths: NBA body, can get to the rim and finish well, moderate athleticism, can shoot off the dribble, good defender on and off-ball, good free throw shooting points to three-point potential
Weaknesses: Lack of high level play-making makes him more of an off-guard or combo-guard, inconsistent shooting, lack of high level quickness and explosiveness, not a point guard
Conclusion: Combo-guard with questionable jump shot but potential high-level defense due to his effort and length. If he can improve his long-range shot, he could become a good all-around player.
Tyrell Terry: Guard, 6'2, 174 pounds
Strengths: Unlimited range as a shooter, regularly makes jumpers with a high degree of difficulty, potential high-end scorer, athleticism to get to the rim, solid passer and ball-handler, plays hard
Weaknesses: Lack of size and strength limits his ability to finish through contact and defend, small frame, shot selection issues, size could limit offensive ceiling and defensive floor
Conclusion: Terry has dynamic scoring ability and an elite shooting skill that NBA teams crave, which could get him off the board in the top 12. His lack of size, which some believe might limit his upside, could drop him closer to 15th overall, however.
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