New York Knicks option Cassius Stanley #2 of the Duke Blue Devils drives past Jahvon Blair #0 of the Georgetown Hoyas during the second half of their game at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
With three picks in this year’s draft, the Knicks will have plenty of options to upgrade their talent. Duke guard Cassius Stanley should be on their radar.
The completion of the NBA’s draft lottery gave the New York Knicks some closure into their draft preparation process. The front office now knows that they will select eighth in this year’s upcoming draft, however, they also have another first-round pick (27) and a second-round pick (38) at their disposal.
Combing through the various holes and weaknesses in the current Knicks’ roster, shooting and play-making have vaulted to the top of most fans’ wish list. This past season, Duke freshman guard Cassius Stanley earned All-ACC freshman honors averaging just over 12 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 36 percent from the three-point line.
Stanley is not a primary, maybe not even a secondary play-maker but he has game-changing athleticism, so much so, that he broke Zion Williamson’s vertical leap record (46.5 inches btw) during his only year at Duke.
With teammates like Tre Jones and Vernon Carey jr., Stanley slotted into a role as a catch-and-shoot player, who could attack closeouts and make the defense rotate.
A six-foot-six guard, just under 200 pounds, Stanley posted the third-highest usage rate on the team, and assumed some of the responsibilities as a lead ball-handler, however, he was often more effective as someone who could catch the ball off a cut to the basket and use his elite athleticism to make plays.
Let’s review the strengths and weaknesses of Stanley’s game and his fit with the Knicks.
NBA’s draft lottery</a> gave the <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://dailyknicks.com/">New York Knicks</a> some closure into their draft preparation process. The front office now knows that they will select eighth in this year’s upcoming draft, however, they also have another first-round pick (27) and a second-round pick (38) at their disposal.</p>
<p>Combing through the various holes and weaknesses in the current Knicks’ roster, shooting and play-making have vaulted to the top of most fans’ wish list. This past season, Duke freshman guard Cassius Stanley earned All-ACC freshman honors averaging just over 12 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 36 percent from the three-point line.</p>
<p>Stanley is not a primary, maybe not even a secondary play-maker but he has game-changing athleticism, so much so, that he broke Zion Williamson’s vertical leap record (46.5 inches btw) during his only year at Duke.</p>
<p>With teammates like Tre Jones and Vernon Carey jr., Stanley slotted into a role as a catch-and-shoot player, who could attack closeouts and make the defense rotate.</p>
<p>A six-foot-six guard, just under 200 pounds, Stanley posted the third-highest usage rate on the team, and assumed some of the responsibilities as a lead ball-handler, however, he was often more effective as someone who could catch the ball off a cut to the basket and use his elite athleticism to make plays.</p>
<p>Let’s review the strengths and weaknesses of Stanley’s game and his fit with the Knicks.</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/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Strengths </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-108507" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2072,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F04%2F1208054040.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks" width="3200" height="2072" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/04/1208054040.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/04/1208054040-768x497.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">New York Knicks option Cassius Stanley #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half of their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Cassius Stanley: Strengths</h2>
<p>The phrase “momentum-changing plays” was made for Cassius Stanley. Everyone that has watched a game live has felt that anticipation when an elite athlete gets a steal in transition or breaks away from the pack for what will be an earth-shattering dunk.</p>
<p>Hell, as Knicks fans, we even felt it for <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LTBbvDB8qM&feature=emb_logo%22>Kristaps Porzingis!</a> Stanley has that in spades and while it might seem like a car salesman’s attempt at distracting you from the broken down engine, whilst highlighting the shiny new paint-job, Stanley has substance to his game.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/wKw9LYzit1A?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Per his scouting report for NBA.com, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://stats.nba.com/articles/2020-nba-draft-profile-cassius-stanley/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stanley shot an impressive 63 percent and 40 percent from each side of the corner three respectively</a>. He also converted 58 percent of his attempts at the rim. Additionally, according to hoops-math Stanley took 58.6 percent of his shots at the rim and 31.9 percent of his shots from the three-point line. It doesn’t take an expert in analytics to understand how useful Stanley can be at the next level, especially with a point guard that can breakdown the defense and get into the paint.</p>
<p>The following video showcases some nice catch-and-shoot clips from Stanley as well as some intangibles and passing (if O’Connell doesn’t finish that layup it’s a pretty nice assist from Stanley). I’ve seen some sites criticize his mechanics, but generally, Stanley has a quick release and a shot motion that appears repeatable. This past season, per Synergy, Stanley shot within the 93rd percentile in half-court catch-and-shoot situations. The last clip also features a nice step-back jumper from Stanley in a game versus Clemson.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Putting together some Cassius Stanley tape for an upcoming article. The C&S mechanics are solid (93rd percentile C&S in the half-court). Could be a solid pick at either 27 or 38. <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://t.co/87AX2vMr3O">pic.twitter.com/87AX2vMr3O
<p>— Geoffrey Campbell (@geoff_boy_ardee) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://twitter.com/geoff_boy_ardee/status/1298710963592421378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 26, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<div>In an interview with Hoops Hype’s Bryan Kalbrosky, <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://hoopshype.com/2020/04/17/cassius-stanley-duke-blue-devils-interview-nba-draft-stock-scouting-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stanley talked about keeping his focus</a> while being considered an underrated prospect. Ranked outside of the top 20 coming into college, Stanley saw his <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://twitter.com/RookieWire/status/1247640992188112896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1247640992188112896%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhoopshype.com%2F2020%2F04%2F17%2Fcassius-stanley-duke-blue-devils-interview-nba-draft-stock-scouting-report%2F%22>draft stock rise</a> as he started to hit the three-point shot more consistently. He also referenced his record as a winner and his role as a complementary player in Duke’s system.</div>
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<div>I didn’t really think about it that much. People can say it’s my age or that I’m playing on teams that have other good players or whatever, so I’m not going for 30 or 40 points every game. I’ve heard it all. I just know that I win and my record speaks for itself. I’m not really worried about what people were saying or why they were devaluing me. I just know that every time I step on the court, I get the job done since high school, Peach Jam and Nike Skills Challenge. I’m a winner. That’s all I know.</div>
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<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/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Weaknesses </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-111581" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2166,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1198150042.jpeg" alt="Knicks" width="3200" height="2166" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1198150042.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1198150042-768x520.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 04: Cassius Stanley #2 of the Duke Blue Devils warms up prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at the Watsco Center on January 04, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Cassius Stanley: Weaknesses</h2>
<p>When you’re drafting later in the first round, or even in the second round, this is less of a concern, but age is often a topic of discussion as it relates to a player’s ceiling. Stanley is 21 years old, which is relatively up there for a freshman. Over the past five seasons, of the 25 rookies that were selected to the All-Rookie first team, nine were 21 years old or older including Kyle Kuzma (22), Donovan Mitchell (21), Ben Simmons (21), Malcolm Brogdon (24), Dario Saric (23), Joel Embiid (22), Willy Hernangomez (22), Nikola Mirotic (23), and Jordan Clarkson (22). Admittedly, Embiid and Simmons shouldn’t be on this list, but you get the point. Just because Stanley is older, doesn’t mean that he can’t a productive player in the NBA.</p>
<p>That said, Stanley does have some clear areas where he needs to improve. His handle is a bit loose for my liking and he often has difficulty keeping the ball close when he dribbles into the paint. And while his poor handle may not be the major culprit of his abysmal assist (30 total) to turnover (54 total) ratio, it certainly doesn’t help.</p>
<p>The video below demonstrates a lack of awareness as Stanley drives into the paint. In the first clip, he gets his shot blocked fairly easily without noticing the weak-side help, and the next clip features Stanley almost tripping into the lane prior to getting his pocket picked by Louisville’s Jordan Nwora.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Limiting turnovers will be one of Stanley's main objectives at the professional level. Compared to just 30 assists, Stanley forked it over 54 times last season. The freshman's loose handle serves as the culprit in these clips. <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://t.co/FERu0nCHB5">pic.twitter.com/FERu0nCHB5
<p>— Geoffrey Campbell (@geoff_boy_ardee) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://twitter.com/geoff_boy_ardee/status/1298721625357971456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 26, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>For guards, and especially guards who are not necessarily lights-out shooters, getting to the line is imperative. According to tankathon, Stanley’s free-throw attempt rate is .389. This ranks above other shooting guards that will likely be taken before Stanley including, Anthony Edwards, Devin Vassell, RJ Hampton, and Josh Green. Despite this, if Stanley is only hitting 36 percent of his threes, he will have to get to the line more often to make an impact and stay off the bench.</p>
<p>In general, Stanley his still putting his defensive game together. He ranked within the <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://www.nba.com/draft/2020/prospects/cassius-stanley#/">58th percentile</a> in opponents points per possession in isolation plays, but, like most young players, is susceptible to occasional back-door cut, and he can lose his man if you put him through enough screens. Furthermore, for a player with his athletic profile, you would like to see Stanley average more than 0.7 steals per game. Of the guards previously mentioned, Stanley ranked last within that group and tied with both Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey and Utah State’s Sam Merril for the lowest average of steals per game amongst tankathon’s shooting guards in the top 68.</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/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fit with the Knicks </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-111582" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2354,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1189463529.jpeg" alt="Knicks" width="3200" height="2354" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1189463529.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1189463529-768x565.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 22: Cassius Stanley #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a basket in the second half of their game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Madison Square Garden on November 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Cassius Stanley: Fit with the Knicks</h2>
<p>Overall, Stanley is a player with a skill set that fits many NBA squads. The question will be, where he can improve his overall shooting efficiency, handle, and defense to be a consistent NBA rotation guard. Stanley may benefit from some time in the G-League, but based on his athleticism alone, he’s bound to a get a fair look at the professional level.</p>
<p>The Knicks current roster has quite a few guards including Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., Damyean Dotson, Reggie Bullock, Wayne Ellington, RJ Barrett, Elfrid Payton and I guess…Theo Pinson.</p>
<p>Bullock, Payton, and Ellington all have team options that the Knicks can choose to exercise, but I would be surprised to see all three back in Knicks uniform next season. Additionally, depending on the market for Dotson, he may enter restricted free agency, and there is a chance he won’t be back either.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA Mock Draft with Knicks picking 8th" data-url="https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/22/nba-mock-draft-knicks-selecting-8th-overall/" 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/2020/08/27/new-york-knicks-cassius-stanley-draft-profile/"https://dailyknicks.com/2020/08/22/nba-mock-draft-knicks-selecting-8th-overall/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Mock Draft with Knicks picking 8th </a> </div>
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<p>If the Knicks can select a lead guard in the lottery, there’s no harm in taking a flier on Stanley at 27 or 38. When current general manager Scott Perry came to New York, he talked about wanting the Knicks to be more athletic. Stanley checks that box five times over, and his one year at Duke shows that he has the tools necessary to be an important player in a modern NBA offense.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">