In two days the New York Knicks will learn their first pick in the upcoming draft in June. The 2022 NBA Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday, May 17 in Chicago at 8 p.m. ET.
The results from draft lotteries of the past haven’t been kind to New York but that bad luck could be reversed with a high pick in the 2022 draft. The Knicks locked in the 11th-best lottery odds once the New Orleans Pelicans advanced to the playoffs and have a 2% chance to land the No. 1 pick.
New York has a 9.4% chance to have a top-4 selection, and if that were to happen, the scene in the city will likely mirror the one from the team’s 2021 playoff appearance. And if somehow, someway the Knicks get the No. 1 overall pick, the best kind of chaos will erupt.
If the odds are in New York’s favor on Tuesday evening, there are a few players in particular that the Knicks should consider drafting with their first pick. And if Leon Rose and company opt for one of the following three players, fans should be more than satisfied.
3 players the New York Knicks could draft with a successful 2022 NBA Draft Lottery
3: Paolo Banchero (PF)
Who’s in favor of adding another member of The Brotherhood to New York’s roster? Knicks fans should be, especially considering that the last time that the team had a top-4 pick, RJ Barrett’s name was called.
There are a few players who could go No. 1 overall and one of them is Paolo Banchero. The freshman had a phenomenal year in Mike Krzyzewski’s final season as the head coach of the Blue Devils.
The six-foot-ten forward averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists at Duke. He shot 47.8% from the floor, 33.8% from the 3-point line, and 72.9% from the free-throw line.
In the NCAA tournament, Banchero averaged 18.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in five games. His best performance took place on Mar. 24 in a 78-73 win over Texas Tech. Banchero finished with 22 points (7-of-12 from the floor, 3-of-4 from the 3-point line), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
Why should the New York Knicks draft Duke forward Paolo Banchero?
Regardless of which team Banchero ends up on, he’s going to make an immediate impact at the next level. He can score anywhere on the floor and as his numbers show, he’s an elite passer and crashes the boards as well.
The biggest area of need for Banchero is his defense, which is a challenge that Tom Thibodeau would likely love to take on. If the forward can up his defensive game, he’s going to be even more of a problem for opposing teams.
If New York were to draft Banchero, he isn’t the type of player who should watch a large part of the 2022-23 season from the bench. Depending on what happens with Julius Randle, along with Obi Toppin, the combo forward could (and most likely should) be in the Knicks’ starting lineup on opening night.
New York Knicks</a> will learn their first pick in the upcoming draft in June. The 2022 NBA Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday, May 17 in Chicago at 8 p.m. ET.</p>
<p>The results from draft lotteries of the past haven’t been kind to New York but that bad luck could be reversed with a high pick in the 2022 draft. The Knicks locked in the 11th-best lottery odds once the New Orleans Pelicans advanced to the playoffs and have a 2% chance to land the No. 1 pick.</p>
<p>New York has a 9.4% chance to have a top-4 selection, and if that were to happen, the scene in the city will likely mirror the one from the team’s 2021 playoff appearance. And if somehow, someway the Knicks get the No. 1 overall pick, the best kind of chaos will erupt.</p>
<p>If the odds are in New York’s favor on Tuesday evening, there are a few players in particular that the Knicks should consider drafting with their first pick. And if Leon Rose and company opt for one of the following three players, fans should be more than satisfied.</p>
<h2>3 players the New York Knicks could draft with a successful 2022 NBA Draft Lottery</h2>
<h3>3: Paolo Banchero (PF)</h3>
<p>Who’s in favor of <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/03/15/3-acc-duke-players-new-york-knicks-fans-watch-march-madness/3/">adding another member of The Brotherhood to New York’s roster</a>? Knicks fans should be, especially considering that the last time that the team had a top-4 pick, RJ Barrett’s name was called.</p>
<p>There are a few players who could go No. 1 overall and one of them is <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/4432573/paolo-banchero" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paolo Banchero</a>. The freshman had a phenomenal year in Mike Krzyzewski’s final season as the head coach of the Blue Devils.</p>
<p>The six-foot-ten forward averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists at Duke. He shot 47.8% from the floor, 33.8% from the 3-point line, and 72.9% from the free-throw line.</p>
<p>In the NCAA tournament, Banchero averaged 18.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in five games. His best performance took place on Mar. 24 in a 78-73 win over Texas Tech. Banchero finished with 22 points (7-of-12 from the floor, 3-of-4 from the 3-point line), 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Paolo Banchero vs. Texas Tech:</p>
<p>22 PTS | 4 REB | 4 AST</p>
<p>"I coach that guy, holy mackerel."</p>
<p>🎥 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@MarchMadnessMBB <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://t.co/7XShjHIFlU">pic.twitter.com/7XShjHIFlU
<p>— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1507212739592134657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 25, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<h2>Why should the New York Knicks draft Duke forward Paolo Banchero?</h2>
<p>Regardless of which team Banchero ends up on, he’s going to make an immediate impact at the next level. He can score anywhere on the floor and as his numbers show, he’s an elite passer and crashes the boards as well.</p>
<p>The biggest area of need for Banchero is his defense, which is a challenge that Tom Thibodeau would likely love to take on. If the forward can up his defensive game, he’s going to be even more of a problem for opposing teams.</p>
<p>If New York were to draft Banchero, he isn’t the type of player who should watch a large part of the 2022-23 season from the bench. Depending on what happens with Julius Randle, along with Obi Toppin, the combo forward could (and most likely should) be in the Knicks’ starting lineup on opening night.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> A solution to the point guard dilemma? </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_127585" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-127585" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1380657155.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Purdue Boilermakers, Jaden Ivey" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1380657155.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1380657155-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Jaden Ivey, Purdue Boilermakers. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
</div>
<h3>2: Jaden Ivey (G)</h3>
<p><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jaden-ivey-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Jaden Ivey’s</a> name has likely been the most frequent one to pop up in discussions by New York fans about who the team should draft. That’s because he could develop into the starting point guard of the future for the Knicks.</p>
<p>In Ivey’s two seasons with Purdue, he was the team’s starting shooting guard. He went from averaging 11.1 points in 2020-21 to averaging 17.3 points in 2021-22. This past season, he also averaged 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in the 36 games he played in.</p>
<p>The six-foot-four guard shot 46% from the field, 35.8% from the 3-point line, and 74.4% from the free-throw line.</p>
<h2>Why should the New York Knicks draft Purdue guard Jaden Ivey?</h2>
<p>His quickness benefits him on both ends of the court, whether it be him dashing into the open lane or getting a steal on defense. If you enjoy watching Toppin run the floor, you’re going to love watching Ivey if he becomes a Knick.</p>
<p>Ivey wasn’t the Boilermakers’ primary ball-handler, but that’s another skill that he has. If he were drafted by New York, he could play either guard position. Presumably, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/03/14/new-york-knicks-fans-shift-attention-march-madness-purdue-star-point-guard/">the goal would be for him to play point guard</a> considering that seems to be the void that the front office is hoping to fill this summer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The player who should be NY's top option </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_127583" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-127583" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F05%2F1386275537.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Auburn Tigers, Jabari Smith Jr." width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1386275537.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/05/1386275537-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn Tigers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
</div>
<h3>1: Jabari Smith Jr. (PF)</h3>
<p>Out of the three names on this list, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/4432639/jabari-smith" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jabari Smith Jr.</a> is likely the one that Knicks fans have heard the least. But the six-foot-ten forward’s been linked to New York for a reason and<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/04/29/athletic-recent-2022-mock-draft-knicks-picking-sec-freshman-year/"> if the Knicks get a high pick and he’s still available, he should be selected</a>.</p>
<p>In his freshman season at Auburn, Smith averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block in 34 games. He shot 42.9% from the field, 42% from the 3-point line, and 79.9% from the free-throw line.</p>
<p>He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year because of his athleticism which allows for him to be an elite shooter, a solid rebounder, and a good defender. Smith has a high basketball IQ that will be extremely beneficial to him as he makes the transition to the NBA.</p>
<h2>Why should the New York Knicks draft Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr.?</h2>
<p>But what would Smith being drafted by New York mean? His presence on the floor would open up the floor for Barrett, who should be the Knicks’ first option on the offensive end.</p>
<p>Similar to Banchero, Smith’s arrival to Madison Square Garden would impact both Randle and Toppin. Would it be a signifier to the end of Randle’s time with the Knicks? If that were to be true, Smith would be a better option in the starting lineup than Toppin.</p>
<p>As good as Toppin was to end 2021-22, New York could get more of out 19-year-old Smith, who has a higher ceiling.</p>
<p>The likelihood of the Knicks getting a top-4 pick is low, but not quite impossible. And the talent that Smith possesses can’t be denied. The Georgia native could soon be making the big move to the bright lights of New York City.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="Q7Q9NjUMGj"><p><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/13/everything-knicks-fans-need-know-2022-nba-draft-lottery/">Everything Knicks fans need to know about 2022 NBA Draft Lottery</a></p></blockquote>
<p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/15/3-dream-prospects-knicks-select-excellent-2022-nba-draft-lottery-result/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/13/everything-knicks-fans-need-know-2022-nba-draft-lottery/embed/#?secret=Q7Q9NjUMGj" data-secret="Q7Q9NjUMGj" width="500" height="282" title="“Everything Knicks fans need to know about 2022 NBA Draft Lottery” — Daily Knicks" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div><!—pageview_candidate—>">