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New York Knicks: Attainable Point Guards In 2016 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 20, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) reacts to a basket against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers won 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) reacts to a basket against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers won 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (1) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Utes at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon State Beavers guard Gary Payton II (1) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Utes at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Gary Payton II, Oregon State Beavers

Age: 23 (12/1/1992)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 184 pounds, 6’8″
Slash Line: .486/.314/.642
Season Averages: 34.3 MPG, 16.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 5.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, 0.7 3PM

The New York Knicks may have an opportunity to land the best defensive point guard in this draft class. Gary Payton II doesn’t have the offensive skill set of a Triangle Offense point guard, but his defensive upside is supreme.

To write him off as an option would be to do the team a great injustice.

Payton II, the son of NBA legend Gary Payton, won the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award in both 2015 and 2016. This past season, he averaged 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals to complement his 16.0 points and 5.0 assists, which is a fair indication of his value.

It’s also a product of a physical profile that’s comparable to the very best the NBA has to offer.

Payton II stands at 6’3″ with a 6’8″ wingspan, which is beyond ideal for an NBA point guard. He has a body fat percentage below 4.0—the only player in this draft class who can say that—and ripped off a 38.5-inch vertical leap.

Payton II is a freak athlete and an elite defensive prospect who, at the very least, can be a defensive asset for the Knicks.

Next: Speed and Swagger

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