When you’re devoid of talent and direction, taking the risk on upside is understandable. Why settle for a high-floor role player when you don’t yet have a foundation? What use do you have for Mikal or Miles Bridges when you need a star?
The New York Knicks are in a much different place today. A much better place. No stressing over an inevitably disappointing lottery. No more desperate searching for the next face of the franchise. So when Leon, Scott, Walt, Brock, and company enter the war room on July 29th, they don’t need to gamble because they don’t need a star.
Well, they do, but not from the draft, and where they’re slated to pick – 19, 21, 32, 58 – there’s no pressure to find one. In fact, for this draft to be a success, all the FO really needs to add is a guy or two (odds are they won’t use every pick) that can, in time, contribute to a contender. And it is my humble opinion that the best way to accomplish this is to focus on upperclassmen.
It’s a deep draft in every sense of the word: quality at every position; plenty of one-and-dones with star potential; and a lot of NCAA veterans that can both:
Here are some guys from the latter category – the vets – that I believe Rose should consider:
New York Knicks</a> drafted Kevin Knox over (among others) Mikal Bridges, it made sense to me. Obviously, it’s turned out poorly, but consider the circumstances at the time: the team was terrible; their best player was injured and (at the very least) showing signs of discontent; they’d just made yet another coaching change and they weren’t quite bad enough for a chance at Luka Doncic or Trae Young.</p>
<p>When you’re devoid of talent and direction, taking the risk on upside is understandable. Why settle for a high-floor role player when you don’t yet have a foundation? What use do you have for Mikal or Miles Bridges when you <em>need</em> a star?</p>
<h2>The draft approach is much different for the 2021 New York Knicks</h2>
<p>The New York Knicks are in a much different place today. A much better place. No stressing over an inevitably disappointing lottery. No more desperate searching for the next face of the franchise. So when Leon, Scott, Walt, Brock, and company enter the war room on July 29th, they don’t need to gamble because they don’t need a star.</p>
<p>Well, they do, but not from the draft, and where they’re slated to pick – 19, 21, 32, 58 – there’s no pressure to find one. In fact, for this draft to be a success, all the FO really needs to add is a guy or two (odds are they won’t use every pick) that can, in time, contribute to a contender. And it is my humble opinion that the best way to accomplish this is to focus on upperclassmen.</p>
<p>It’s a deep draft in every sense of the word: quality at every position; plenty of one-and-dones with star potential; and a lot of NCAA <em>veterans </em>that can both:</p>
<ol>
<li>Fight for a rotation spot immediately (maybe even replace some current FAs), and</li>
<li>Grow with and around our young core.</li>
</ol>
<p>Here are some guys from the latter category – the vets – that I believe Rose should consider:</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/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Who do they draft in the 19-21 range? </a>
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<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2017/07/15813843.jpeg">
Jared Butler</a> (JR, 9/25/99) – </strong>Come draft time, when mocks and big boards look much different than they do now, the national champion Butler might not be available. But if he is, he’d be an ideal addition for the Knicks. He can play either guard position; he’s an excellent shooter – 41.6% from 3 – however you want it (C&S, on the move, off the dribble); and he can get to the rim, which not nearly enough Knicks could do last year. Plus he plays D, which Thibs would certainly appreciate.</p>
<p><strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"http://www.tankathon.com/players/chris-duarte">Chris Duarte</a> (SR, 6/14/1997) – </strong><em>Wait, he’s 24?!? Hard pass! He’s a finished product! </em>Right, because everyone knows 24-year-olds are fully-matured adults incapable of learning and growing…</p>
<p>If other teams decide to pass on the draft’s senior citizen, Rose should welcome him with open arms. Reggie Bullock was vital to the Knicks’ success this year; Duarte is a better Bullock – better off the bounce, better at the basket, younger (save your jokes), and cheaper.</p>
<p><strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"http://www.tankathon.com/players/trey-murphy-iii">Trey Murphy III</a> (JR, 6/18/2000) – </strong>If you haven’t caught on yet, being an upperclassman isn’t the only thing my targets have in common. Butler shot over 41% from deep; Duarte over 42%; and now Murphy, who finished the season at 43.3% (as well as 92.7% from the line). This kid can really stroke it. Throw in the smart cutting, size (6’9 with a 7’1 wingspan), defensive potential, and positional versatility, and you’ve got a really interesting prospect, especially for a team that needs to be more flexible/creative with lineups moving forward.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Note</span>: The odds of Leon standing pat with these two firsts are slim. If he <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/06/2021-nba-draft-mock-draft-2-knicks/16/">packages them to move up</a>, both Corey Kispert and Davion Mitchell are players who fit both Knicks’ needs and the theme of this piece. However – if you’re gonna move up, put age/experience aside and just take the best guy on your board, even if he’ll need time to develop. Then take one of the following guys in the second round.</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/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Who do the Knicks target in the 2nd round? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-98547" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"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%2F2017%2F07%2F1069750094.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1069750094.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1069750094-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Charles Bassey, New York Knicks.<br>(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Who should the New York Knicks target in the 2nd round?</h2>
<p><strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"http://www.tankathon.com/players/quentin-grimes">Quentin Grimes</a> (JR, 5/8/2000) – </strong>A former 5-star Kansas recruit, the Houston junior has reinvented himself as a prototypical 3-and-D player. He’s a big, strong guard who can shoot it every which way and lock up on the other end. Whoever drafts him will get a guy ready to play from Day 1.</p>
<p><strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"http://www.tankathon.com/players/charles-bassey">Charles Bassey</a> (JR, 10/28/2000) – </strong>The Knicks do have other needs beyond shooting. Like center depth. And I don’t know about you, but I’d love someone with more modern offensive potential…or at least the ability to catch the ball. Enter Bassey, out of Mitchell Robinson’s cup-of-coffee alma mater – 6’11, 7’3 wingspan, fluid athlete in the open floor, rebounding machine…he’s got the natural gifts of a classic defensive-minded, rim-running big, but 76% from the free throw line and flashes of a jumper suggest the possibility for more.</p>
<p><strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"https://www.nbadraft.net/players/sam-hauser/">Sam Hauser</a> (SR, 12/8/1997) – </strong>Okay, back to shooting: ESPN has Hauser ranked #72 on their Big Board, which means he could be signed as an undrafted FA before summer league. But if you value what he brings, why not use that 58th pick instead of stashing it? Beyond the elite shooting, Hauser is a smart cutter, a capable playmaker (despite low assist numbers), and has that Virginia defensive pedigree.</p>
<p><strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"http://www.tankathon.com/players/isaiah-livers">Isaiah Livers</a> (SR, 7/28/1998) – </strong>Another 90s guy with four years experience, Livers’ numbers are that of a shooter (43.1% from 3, almost 3/4 of his FGA were jumpers), but if you watched Michigan at all last year, you know he meant much more than that to the Wolverines. His defense, cutting, and willingness to do whatever his team needs makes him a steal if he goes where projected (50 on Tankathon, UDA on ESPN).</p>
<p>*These are just some of the many solid upperclassmen that’ll be available in the second round. Others that may deserve consideration post-combine include: Alabama’s Herb Jones, Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp, Michigan State’s Aaron Henry, Michigan’s Chaundee Brown, Colorado’s McKinley Wright IV, Pepperdine’s Kessler Edwards, and Baylor legend Matthew Mayer. The New York Knicks will have options galore at both 32 and 58.</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/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Conclusion </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-117869" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"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%2F2018%2F08%2F1309837497.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1309837497.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1309837497-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>The New York Knicks are ready to compete</h2>
<p>I’m not suggesting the Knicks should <em>only</em> draft old men. If they want to roll the dice on Sharife Cooper or Ziaire Williams or a young big like Jones or Sharpe, I’m in. Above all else, you need talent to win in this league, and if they identify a younger guy they believe can develop into a great player, why would anyone object?</p>
<p>But I <em>am</em> saying that a Springer/Williams/Boston Jr. haul, for example, is a bad idea. The Knicks are already super-young. They already have pre-prime building blocks, including 2-3 still on rookie contracts. They don’t need projects. They don’t need high-risk, high-reward question marks. They need guys that’ll support those aforementioned building blocks as the team looks to move from miraculous resurgence to legitimate contention.</p>
<p>I reject the notion that a player already of drinking age is a finished product or anything close to it. Not that it’s common, but we <em>just</em> saw Julius Randle take a major leap as a 27-year-old. We’ve also seen both Bridges improve significantly since the 2018 draft. So to me, using “Draft Age” as a negative (as Tankathon does) to suggest a guy can’t get better, despite basketball only now becoming his full-time job and despite only now having access to NBA coaching and resources, is absolutely ludicrous.</p>
<p>And for this Knicks’ team, I’ll go as far as to claim the opposite: an older player’s “Draft Age” should be viewed as a positive. The Knicks are looking to continue rising next season, but they’re also still a few years from real contention. A project might help with the latter – if everything goes right – but guys like Butler and Duarte fit both short- and long-term goals.</p>
<p>They can help you make an immediate jump, saving you money that would’ve gone to a similarly-skilled FA (allowing you to spend more on other needs or giving you more flexibility for trades), and they’ll be entering their physical primes <em>while still on rookie contracts</em> by the time you’re ready to contend<em>. </em>That’s a crucial part of winning – finding controllable players that outperform their deals, enabling you to reallocate resources to build an even better nucleus.</p>
<p>To be clear, I love some of the underclassmen projected to be available when Rose in on the clock and support using a pick on <em>one</em> of them.</p>
<p>But we know what Thibs values. We know what this team needs. And we know they absolutely cannot afford to come out of this draft with upside projects that end up missing. This summer’s splash, if there is one, should be either in free agency or via trade. The draft should be about finding a rotation player for the present and future.</p>
<p>By slaughtering expectations last season, the New York Knicks took themselves out of the running for the next prodigy. Which is fine. They don’t need the next Luka (especially since the first Luka might demand…never mind).</p>
<p>Instead, how about the next Draymond? Is that too much to ask? Okay, the next Malcolm. The next Caris. The next Pascal. Still too much? The next Derrick White, the next Josh Hart, the next M. Bridges (either one), the next Jalen Brunson, the next Shake Milton, the next Grayson Allen (preferably more likable), the next Cam Johnson, Matisse Thybulle, Brandon Clarke, Eric Paschall, Terrence Mann, Payton Pritchard, Desmond Bane, Xavier Tillman…you get the idea.</p>
<p>An oldie-but-goodie. That’s what they need to keep this party going.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Knicks Mock Draft 2.0: Trading up in the draft?" data-url="https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/06/2021-nba-draft-mock-draft-2-knicks/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/21/new-york-knicks-draft-strategy-upperclassmen/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/06/06/2021-nba-draft-mock-draft-2-knicks/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Knicks Mock Draft 2.0: Trading up in the draft? </a> </div>
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