Draft: Should Knicks draft Jahlil Okafor?

Feb 4, 2015; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) moves the ball against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets center Demarco Cox (4) in their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

It’s common knowledge within the Knicks family that any hopes of playing NBA level basketball this season are long gone. The Knickerbockers have traded away the few pieces they had who actually had value in a not-so-secret effort to start the offseason with a lottery pick. The tanking is in full effect, as the Knicks are on the verge of completing one of their worst seasons (in their almost 70-year history), currently sitting at 10-45 (the not-so-proud owners of the worst record in the league). So the question is, whom should the Knicks target in the upcoming draft?

By now, most basketball fans are familiar with the talents of Duke center Jahlil Okafor. Before the season even started, scouts were already projecting him to be in the upcoming lottery.

The Chicago native is in fact a stellar candidate at 6-11 and 270 lbs and possesses an NBA-ready body and outstanding stats.

Having said that, the Knicks will be looking to sign more than just one player this summer, as they have just five players under contract next season and at least 27 million dollars in cap space.

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Although the 2015 free agent class is loaded with talent, one can’t help notice that there are many more elite big men than guards. Trades made at the deadline made things worse when Goran Dragic joined the Miami Heat and Brandon Knight was traded away to the Suns, as both are expected to stay put this summer.

The upcoming Draft would seem to be a golden opportunity to land a young and elite point guard, leaving the Knicks to focus on big men, at a later phase, in free agency.

Two names come to mind when thinking of top PG prospects:

Mar 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay of Prime Prep Academy poses for a portrait. He is a finalist for the USA Today Player of the Year Award. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

At 6′-5 and 196 lbs, Emmanuel Mudiay is the big guard the Knicks have wanted to lead the point in the triangle offence. Although the Congolese native is injured and out until the end of the season, he has recorded solid stats in the Chinese Basketball Association, playing with the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

Another possible option; rising star D’Angelo Russell has emerged as a top prospect at his position. He’s a big combo guard (6-5 and 180lbs) with terrific outside scoring ability, something that is often deemed essential in the triangle.

The Calderon equation

Jose Calderon has been leading the point for the Knickerbockers this season and so far done an average job. His numbers are down from last season and the aging point is owed nearly 15 million dollars over the next two season, making it hard for Coach Fisher not to start him if they still have him next year. Despite their efforts to unload him at the deadline, they weren’t able to strike a deal with a team willing to take him on.

At this point, Calderon is a burden getting in the way of New York signing more big name free agents this off-season. However, if he can turn things around, his sharpshooting and floor-spacing skills may be enough for Phil and Coach Fisher to start him at PG next year.

Finally, whomever the Knicks select in the draft this summer, their choices should take into consideration free agency and the players who will be available at each position (or the lack thereof…).

So, do you think the Knicks should draft Jahlil Okafor with their lottery pick? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.