The Knicks do not have a draft pick in the upcoming draft after the Mavericks’ pick landed in the top ten, and they traded their pick to Portland as part of the Josh Hart trade. But given the amount of talent in this draft, and this front office’s success with late first-round picks, trading back into the draft may not be off the table.
And Iowa’s Kris Murray is just the kind of player the Knicks should target if they do. NBA Draft Room describes Murray as a player who “projects as a high-level three-point shooter” and a “versatile defender who relies on smarts and positioning rather than raw/tools athleticism.”
Knicks fans who have no love for either Randle or Obi Toppin could find something to appreciate about Murray.
Randle and Topin combined to shoot just 28% from three-point range on nearly ten attempts per game in the playoffs. While Murray is not a world-beater from deep, he did shoot 34.8% from three during his two seasons in college.
Randle and Toppin also have question marks on the defensive end, but that isn’t the case with Murray and his 2.2 stocks per game last season.
Mock drafts have Murray ranging from 19th to 24th, with an average around 21st. Toppin and a future second (a move that would save the Knicks just over four million dollars in salary next season) could potentially get the Knicks in that range.
the right superstar package</a> could push the Knicks into the next tier of NBA squads.</p>
<p>No matter what anyone may argue, there is nothing irrational about Leon Rose and his cadre of confidants assessing the roster and deciding they are ready to make an all-in move.</p>
<p>However, there are also moves to be made to upgrade the roster on the fringe. Moves that would support this year’s core with role players who would better fit next to the likes of RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, and Julius Randle.</p>
<h2>The New York Knicks can improve in 2023-24 with fringe moves</h2>
<p>Some might read this and ask, “Isn’t that what they did after the last playoff berth? How did that work out?” Without context, the answer is “Not well,” but context is necessary here. Adding Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier were offseason misses because they sacrificed on the defensive end.</p>
<p>What crystalized in the Miami series is that the Knicks, who were dead last in three-point shooting among all playoff teams, need to add floor spacing that won’t sacrifice what they are trying to do on the defensive end.</p>
<p>Playoff game planning for Barrett, Brunson, and Randle changes dramatically if opposing coaches have to respect shooters.</p>
<p>How can the Knicks increase space for their offensive engines while maintaining defensive integrity? Let’s dive in!</p>
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9 Players the New York Knicks gave up on way too soon</a></p></blockquote>
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