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New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Point Guards Who Can Replace Derrick Rose

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) controls the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) controls the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) takes a shot during warm-ups before the start of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) takes a shot during warm-ups before the start of a game against the UCLA Bruins at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Markelle Fultz, Washington Huskies

Age: 18 (5/29/1998)
Class: Freshman
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 195 pounds, 6’9″
2016-17 Slash Line: .476/.413/.649
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.7 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 2.1 3PM

From a pure talent perspective, there’s no point guard better in the 2017 NBA Draft than Markelle Fultz. He’s essentially a 6’4″ Chris Paul in the sense that he can do a bit of everything on both ends of the floor, including facilitate and defend.

Fultz’s leadership was called into question during the 2016-17 college basketball season, but drafting him would be a blessing for the New York Knicks.

In order to add Fultz to the mix, the Knicks would likely need to secure the No. 1 or No. 2 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. That’s certainly not out of the question, as New York has Top 10 lottery odds entering the final stretch of the season.

Though the odds aren’t necessarily in New York’s favor, it would be hard to blame the Knicks for holding out hope for the opportunity to draft Fultz.

Fultz would work wonderfully with Kristaps Porzingis in pick and roll, and pick and pop situations. Both would alleviate pressure from the other due to their respective abilities to either finish at the rim or convert from distance.

Regardless of where it is that New York ends up picking from, Fultz will be one of the top prospects on Phil Jackson’s draft board.

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