Ousmane Dieng, New Zealand Breakers. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images) – New York Knicks
3. Ousmane Dieng
The Knicks have a complicated history with French draft picks. This year there’s a French prospect by the name of Ousmane Dieng who could very well be one of the top players on the board when they’re on the clock at 11. His size, mobility, and overall massive potential could be enough for New York to take a shot on him.
Dieng was recruited by a ton of top college programs as well as the G League Unite team but wound up playing basketball in New Zealand this past season. The recently turned 19-year-old had a rough start to his year before turning it on towards the end of the season — an upward trend that many think could continue into the NBA.
A lanky but athletic 6’10, Dieng possesses the rare combo of versatility for someone his size that will remind many of a raw version of some of the league’s slim reapers like Kevin Durant and Brandon Ingram. He’s shown plenty of playmaking chops as well.
He is absolutely an “eye-test” player because it hasn’t translated into efficient stats yet whatsoever. His shooting form looks smooth, but he shot just 27.1% from three last season. His overall awareness is sometimes lacking in key areas, such as on the defensive end of the floor. It’s these kinds of question marks that make you nervous and ask yourself, “How much do we really know about this Frenchman who spent last season playing in New Zealand?”
His ball handling is terrific for his size. You think with some NBA coaching and conditioning, there could be something really special in Dieng. Is he worth the gamble with the 11th pick? That’s for the Knicks to figure out.
New York Knicks</a> are hoping to hit the jackpot in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft. With the Knicks holding the 11th pick, they’re going to have plenty of options with some high-potential prospects. There is <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/18/2022-nba-draft-3-realistic-targets-knicks-pick-no-11/">an abundance of directions that New York could go in</a>.</p>
<p>This is still a young team looking to figure out how to take another step forward this offseason. While there has been plenty going around about potential trades and free agents, the team-building starts through the draft, and the Knicks have a chance to add a valuable piece to the puzzle.</p>
<h2>Which 2022 NBA Draft prospects are the Knicks looking at?</h2>
<p>It’s really hard to tell what’s a smokescreen and what is valid in the weeks leading up to the draft. Already, we’ve had rumors run rampant about New York potentially trading up in the draft and having eyes on surefire top 5 prospect Jaden Ivey.</p>
<p>No one can bank on a trade happening. Outside of the almost-consensus top four prospects in the draft, there are a lot of varying opinions on how the rest of the lottery picks will shake out. There’s a pretty wide variety of players ranging in age, NBA readiness, and even nationality who could all be selected around pick 11.</p>
<p>The Knicks might be looking to take a big swing at 11. They have a lot of young talent already on the roster that can fill particular roles and niches, but not a lot of go-to scorers (not yet, at least). For this draft, they may opt to gamble on more athletic players who bring a lower floor but carry sky-high potential. Who are some of the prospects that fit that bill?</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/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Prospect #3 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-128644" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"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%2F06%2F1390997221.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Ousmane Dieng" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1390997221.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1390997221-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Ousmane Dieng, New Zealand Breakers. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>3. Ousmane Dieng</h3>
<p>The Knicks have a complicated history with French draft picks. This year there’s a French prospect by the name of Ousmane Dieng who could very well be one of the top players on the board when they’re on the clock at 11. His size, mobility, and overall massive potential could be enough for New York to take a shot on him.</p>
<p>Dieng was recruited by a ton of top college programs as well as the G League Unite team but wound up playing basketball in New Zealand this past season. The recently turned 19-year-old had a rough start to his year before turning it on towards the end of the season — an upward trend that many think could continue into the NBA.</p>
<p>A lanky but athletic 6’10, Dieng possesses the rare combo of versatility for someone his size that will remind many of a raw version of some of the league’s slim reapers like Kevin Durant and Brandon Ingram. He’s shown plenty of playmaking chops as well.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ousmane Dieng has looked like a potential lotto pick lately w/his shooting & positional size, but it’s his feel as a passer in the P&R that really makes your eyes pop. The patience, ability to read the whole floor, and make live dribble hits is impressive <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://t.co/aIs6Acc5ou">pic.twitter.com/aIs6Acc5ou
<p>— NBA Draft Dude 🤙 (@CoreyTulaba) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://twitter.com/CoreyTulaba/status/1513145719141588996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>April 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>He is absolutely an “eye-test” player because it hasn’t translated into efficient stats yet whatsoever. His shooting form looks smooth, but he shot just 27.1% from three last season. His overall awareness is sometimes lacking in key areas, such as on the defensive end of the floor. It’s these kinds of question marks that make you nervous and ask yourself, “How much do we really know about this Frenchman who spent last season playing in New Zealand?”</p>
<p>His ball handling is terrific for his size. You think with some NBA coaching and conditioning, there could be something really special in Dieng. Is he worth the gamble with the 11th pick? That’s for the Knicks to figure out.</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/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Prospect #2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-128858" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F06%2F1380887473.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Duke Blue Devils, AJ Griffin" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1380887473.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1380887473-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">AJ Griffin, Duke Blue Devils. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>2. AJ Griffin</h3>
<p>AJ Griffin has been talked about as a potential franchise player in the NBA since high school. Unfortunately for him, he’s dealt with a myriad of injuries over his short career, and it’s certainly affected his draft stock.</p>
<p>Griffin suffered two major injuries in high school and had some nagging ones throughout his lone season at Duke. Even with the injury history, Griffin could still very well be drafted within the top 10. That’s just how juicy his potential is. The Knicks had <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/05/31/knicks-close-look-draft-prospect-aj-griffin-workout/">Team President Leon Rose and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau in attendance for Griffin’s draft showcase</a> the other week.</p>
<p>From a physical standpoint, Griffin looks like he was built in a lab. He’s 6’6 with a 7-foot wingspan and has an extraordinarily muscular and filled-out frame. He looks like a modern NBA wing. Then there’s the skillset. Griffin <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/4432585/aj-griffin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted lights-out shooting numbers</a> at Duke. He shot 44.7% from three and 79.2% from the free-throw line. He’s got a nice array of ball handling moves and an athletic layup package.</p>
<p>It’s easy to see why some people are so high on him and his potential. He’s still just 18-years-old. Yet some will point to Griffin’s stockpiling injuries as a reason to be cautious. There is some worry about his health long-term and his vertical explosiveness. While he can still be a good player because of his size and shooting, his lack of burst could severely limit his upside.</p>
<p>Teams picking within the top 10 might be nervous about selecting Griffin. If he’s sitting there when New York’s on the clock at 11, he could be a franchise-altering pick if he can grow into the star some think he can be.</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/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Prospect #1 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-128643" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"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%2F06%2F1359924280.jpeg" alt="Knicks, NBA Draft" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1359924280.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1359924280-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jaden Hardy, G League Ignite. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>1. Jaden Hardy</h3>
<p>There are definitely a lot of differing opinions on the potential of 19-year-old guard Jaden Hardy. He was a massive recruit coming out of high school — ESPN’s No. 1 guard and No. 2 player in the country for the class of 2021. Expectations were massive for Hardy as he decided to forego college and join the G League Ignite team.</p>
<p>While Hardy was able to put points on the board during his stint in the G League (17.7 points per game) he did so with some very inefficient numbers: 35.1% from the field and 26.9% from three. Putting up poor efficiency numbers has certainly hurt his draft stock.</p>
<p>Hardy has a ways to go to be a “go-to” scoring guard in the NBA, but the flashes are absolutely there. His biggest strength is probably his ball-handling. Hardy has lead-guard level skills with the ball in his hands — he has a massive bag of moves, he changes speeds well, and he knows how to get into the teeth of a defense, which is something that the Knicks don’t have from any of their young guards.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jaden Hardy is 19 years old with moves like this in his bag. 😳 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://twitter.com/JadenHardy1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@JadenHardy1 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://t.co/1sXH94phHU">pic.twitter.com/1sXH94phHU
<p>— NBA G League (@nbagleague) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://twitter.com/nbagleague/status/1461195455992418304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 18, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>His potential as a playmaker could be enticing for New York. While Hardy’s shooting percentages were abysmal, we’ve seen plenty of prospects who come from professional leagues that post poor shooting percentages, only to become good shooters in the NBA.</p>
<p>Hardy has nice form and solid shooting potential, but he’s got to put in the work. Once considered a potential top 5 pick, Hardy could be worth the risk for the Knicks.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="8CLs8Pb14O"><p><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/08/3-high-risk-high-reward-players-knicks-draft-no-11/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/06/04/ranking-knicks-2022-nba-draft-big-board-options-no-11-pick/">Ranking Knicks’ 2022 NBA Draft Big Board options for No. 11 pick</a></p></blockquote>
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