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New York Knicks: D-League Players Worth Evaluating

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 29, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) reaches for the net over Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 102-84. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) reaches for the net over Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 102-84. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Honorable Mention: Jarnell Stokes, Sioux Falls Skyforce

Position: Power Forward
Age: 22
Slash Line: .665/.444/.667
Season Averages: 30.7 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.6 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Jarnell Stokes was selected at No. 35 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. Stokes was then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, with whom he spent a season before joining the Miami Heat, only to be cut and sent to the NBA D-League.

With unrestricted free agency upon him, it’d behoove the New York Knicks to give him a low-risk, high-reward opportunity with the team.

Stokes hasn’t been able to find his place in the NBA, but he broke out as a member of the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He was a nightly double-double threat who used his physicality, solid post game, and tenacity on the offensive glass to take over games.

That much is evident in his winning NBA D-League MVP and Finals MVP in 2016.

Stokes needs to continue to expand his range, and he’s undersized for a power forward at 6’8″. He has a wingspan that ranges longer than 7’1″, however, and is a competitive player with a powerful 250-pound build and NBA-caliber finishing ability around the rim.

As the Knicks look to complete the construction of their rotation, adding Stokes for cheap could be rewarding.

Next: D-League Defensive Player of the Year

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