Alternative Options
In a perfect world, Kentucky Wildcats point guard De’Aaron Fox would be available at No. 7 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, it’s more likely that Fox will come off the board in the Top 5, which could prevent the Knicks from selecting the fan favorite to run point for the next 10-plus years.
With Fox likely out of the picture, the alternative options are a pair of athletic point guards who could anchor the offense.
The first option is fellow Kentucky star Malik Monk, who combines elite athleticism with a remarkable shooting touch. He has an obscene 42” max vertical leap, which is complemented by his intriguing finishing ability and the the 104 3-point field goals he converted on 39.7 percent shooting during the 2016-17 campaign.
Considering the triangle offense requires point guards to thrive both with and without the ball, Monk has the potential to be a perennial All-Star with the Knicks.
If not Monk, then the top target should be Dennis Smith Jr. of North Carolina State Wolfpack fame. An explosive athlete who has recovered miraculously from a torn ACL in high school, Smith combines respectable size with a strong frame, intriguing court vision, and a tendency to step up against high-quality competition.
Jonathan Isaac is another option for the Knicks as a small forward with an intriguing physical profile, but for now, the focus remains on point guards.