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2015 NBA Draft: Key Dates and Knicks’ Draft Board

By Paul Fagan

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Yes, it is that time of year again! The 2015 NBA Draft! Really, though, it’s been a while since there’s been this much hype about the Knicks in the Draft. They traded last year’s pick, which would have been very valuable, and ended up picking three times in the second round.

Looking forward, here are two dates for impatient Knick fans—likely a vast majority of us:

May 19th, 2015

In just 13 days, we’ll know where the Knicks will pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Knicks will pick anywhere between No. 1 and No. 5, which is exciting in a top heavy draft.

These are the Knicks’ lottery odds:

  • No. 1 overall: 19.9%
  • No. 2 overall: 18.8%
  • No. 3 overall: 17.1%
  • No. 4 overall: 31.9%
  • No. 5 overall: 12.3%

While it would be crushing to see teams such as the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat land the top overall pick, the odds are still very favorable. The Knicks could always trade the pick for an accomplished veteran. Phil Jackson might also try to move up in the Draft by putting together a deal featuring Tim Hardaway Jr., Langston Galloway and possibly even Jose Calderon.

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June 25th, 2015

The 2015 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 25. Trades could be made in the war room as the country’s elite prospects wait to hear their name called. It will be held in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center.

Knicks Draft Board

Now, this part is quite subjective. I believe, if the Knicks keep their top 5 pick, this should and would be the order in which they pick.

No. 1 – Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky Wildcats: The potential future Anthony Davis fits in the Triangle Offense like a glove. He’s a terrific rim-protector who can move around the paint. His outside shot is attractive as he played shooting guard in high school.

No. 2 – Emmanuel Mudiay, China: Mudiay played in China this past year. That offered him little exposure to the American market. However, his decision was purely financial and he made a choice to support his family. He’s a very intriguing prospect. It’s likely that he’ll be one of the better players in this draft class in the long run. If he works on his 3-point shot, he could potentially become a Top 10 point guard in a few years. Phil Jackson said he wants someone who can get to the basket, and Mudiay is that player.

No. 3 – D’Angelo Russel, Ohio State Buckeyes: A gifted offensive player with a knack for passing, he fits the Triangle well. However, he’s not great at getting to the basket and his defense is average at best. That means he’d be a liability in the NBA. Nevertheless, his fit with Melo is clear as this would be an enticing duo.

No. 4 – Jahlil Okafor, Duke Blue Devils: This might be a surprise to some, but really, it’s all about listening to Phil Jackson. He’s talked about the core qualities he’ll value in the Draft and Okafor doesn’t fit the mold. His defence was lackluster at best in college, and it projects to be much worse at the professional level. The incredibly gifted big man is a major threat on offense, but pairing him with Melo would be a defensive disaster.

No. 5 – Justice Winslow, Duke Blue Devils: Highly regarded as one of the top two-way prospects in the Draft. Winslow had a fantastic NCAA tournament, winning the title with the Duke Blue Devils. His ceiling is high and his offensive game is raw, but he would complement Anthony well as he’d take care of ‘Melo’s deficiencies on that end of the floor. Could Winslow be the future Jimmy Butler?

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