New York Knicks: International Prospects To Scout For 2017 NBA Draft

5. George de Paula, Paulistano

Position: Point Guard
Age: 20 (5/24/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5.5″, 197 pounds, 7’0″
2016-17 Slash Line: .417/.373/.808
2016-17 Season Averages: 26.8 MPG, 11.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.0 ORPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.4 3PM

It wasn’t very long ago that Brazilian point guard George de Paula was garnering first-round hype in NBA Draft circles. He’s since fallen off the map, however, ranking near the bottom of many analysts’ Top 100 prospects lists.

Though he may have stumbled, the New York Knicks will receive a second-round draft pick from the Houston Rockets and could use it to explore de Paula’s upside.

For those unfamiliar, de Paula is a near 6’6″ point guard with a 7’0″ wingspan and intriguing athleticism. He’s far from a reliable shooter, but he’s worked to improve, and his defensive upside and proficiency as a facilitator have turned heads.

De Paula has appeared reluctant to make the jump to the NBA in recent years, but if he enters the draft in 2017, he’ll likely be selected.

For the Knicks, the pick from the Rockets is likely to come in the 55-to-57 range. If that proves to be the case, then taking a chance on a promising young point guard with immeasurable upside would be a wise course of action.

New York needs a point guard, and if it’s late in the 2017 NBA Draft, there would be no harm in taking a chance on de Paula.