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New York Knicks: Pros And Cons Of Tanking The Rest Of 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Stacked 2017 NBA Draft

The 2017 NBA Draft projects to be one of the deepest in recent memory. There are a vast number of star-caliber prospects at the point guard position, as well as explosive wings and intriguing interior players with skill sets that fit contemporary standards.

With such an alluring crop of prospects available, it would be hard to fault the Knicks for wanting to add a Top 5 pick to the roster.

The 2017 NBA Draft features six point guards who are widely believed to have star potential: Lonzo Ball, De’Aaron Fox, Markelle Fultz, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., and hybrid guard Malik Monk. All six could be selected in the Top 10 come June.

Though that could leave players for the Knicks to choose from at the back end of the Top 10, it’s better to have options than to hope for the best.

Beyond point guard, small forwards Jonathan Isaac, Josh Jackson, and Jayson Tatum are heralded as future All-Stars. There’s depth beyond that group, and the New York Knicks certainly could opt to select a different player with a Top 5 or Top 10 pick.

Regardless of whom the Knicks take, having options would enable Phil Jackson to build the sustainable contender he’s promised.

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