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2015 NBA Draft: D’Angelo Russell Makes Sense for Knicks

By Maxwell Ogden

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The 2015 NBA Draft will be one of the most monumental events in New York Knicks history. New York will have a Top 5 draft pick for the first time since 1986, which is a very promising sign.

Kenny Walker in 1986 didn’t work out as planned, but the Knicks’ previous four Top 5 selections were Patrick Ewing in 1985, Bill Cartwright in 1979, Michael Ray Richardson in 1978 and Walt Frazier in 1967. Every one of those players went on to be an All-Star at some point in their respective careers.

Emmanuel Mudiay of the Guangdong Southern Tigers, Jahlil Okafor of the Duke Blue Devils and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Kentucky Wildcats are viewed as the top three prospects, in alphabetical order, but other options should not be ignored—especially with the possibility that none of the three will be available when New York is on the board.

Regardless of how the 2015 NBA Draft plays out, Ohio State Buckeyes star D’Angelo Russell makes sense for the Knicks.

Russell is coming off of a season in which he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was also selected as a Consensus First Team All-American and made First Team All-Big Ten.

A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Russell led the Buckeyes to the Round of 32 in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. He ranked No. 1 on the team in points, rebounds and assists per game, as well as No. 1 in 3-point field goals and free throws made.

Russell was Mr. Everything for the Buckeyes.

That level of versatility is exactly what makes him such a potentially valuable pickup for the Knicks. There are more explosive athletes, but the key to playing in the Triangle Offense is having a well-rounded and high level of skill.

Russell certainly has it.

The 19-year-old can shoot off the catch or pull up off-the-bounce. He can create with his dribble and routinely converts a gorgeous floater.

Russell is a also superb facilitator with point guard potential and the size and skill set to play the 2. At 6’5″ with a near 6’9″ wingspan, adding muscle mass would make him one of the toughest assignments in the NBA.

With no hyperbole, Russell can do just about everything that a playmaker is tasked with in the Triangle Offense.

The key for Russell in New York would be the permission for a learning curve. Carmelo Anthony is more than capable of creating his own offense, and while Phil Jackson may be keeping his options open in free agency, the idea is that he’ll find at least one more player who can create their own looks.

As is the case with every rookie, Russell will face an adjustment period as he transitions from the collegiate to the professional level. Fortunately, Jackson has already stated that New York won’t win the title in 2015-16, per Marc Berman of The New York Post.

Thus, the ups-and-down of a rookie experience would be forgiven.

It’d be difficult for the Knicks to pass over either Okafor or Towns given the need for a back-to-the-basket threat within the Triangle Offense. Assuming they’re both off of the board—and potentially, even if they aren’t—Russell must be viewed as a legitimate option.

There are more explosive athletes and more tantalizing upside picks, but Russell has genuine star potential.

Next: Key Dates and Information for the 2015 NBA Draft

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