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2015 NBA Draft: New York Knicks’ Top 5 Targets

By Maxwell Ogden

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Feb 25, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) drives to the basket past Virginia Tech Hokies forward

Christian Beyer

(22) in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jahlil Okafor, Duke Blue Devils

NBA Comparison: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Position: Center

Age: 19

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 272 pounds, 7’5″

2014-15 Slash Line: .665/.000/.542

2014-15 Season Averages: 31.1 MPG, 18.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 4.1 ORPG, 1.4 APG, 1.4 BPG, 0.8 SPG

The prized prospect of the 2015 NBA Draft is Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor. He has the size, skill and potential to be one of the best players in the league, let alone the No. 1 player in this class.

Most importantly, Okafor has every tool necessary to anchor the triangle offense.

Okafor is a powerful big man at 6’11” and 272 pounds with a 7’5″ wingspan. He’s an elite rebounder whose frame and fundamentals enable him to dominate the offensive glass and create second-chance scoring opportunities.

Offensively, he’s one of the most NBA-ready big men since Tim Duncan.

As for a more contemporary likening, Okafor compares favorably to Sacramento Kings star DeMarcus Cousins. He’s skilled in the post, dominant on the boards, dangerous when he faces up and capable of running in transition.

His defense is a question mark, but that can be taught easily to a player as mobile, big and long as Okafor. So long as the coaching staff commits to his development, the Knicks would be rewarded handsomely for this low-risk gamble.

Other players have a higher ceiling, but no one fits the Triangle Offense as well as Okafor would.

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