Daily Knicks
Fansided

NBA Mock Draft 2017: What If The New York Knicks Don’t Go Point Guard?

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) reacts after a play during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) reacts after a play during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) guards Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) guards Purdue Boilermakers guard P.J. Thompson (11) during the first half in the semifinals of the midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Alternative Options

If the New York Knicks aren’t going to draft Tyler Dorsey, then the focus should still be on the point guard position. There projects to be an intriguing measure of talent available at No. 44 overall, and that shouldn’t be ignored if the Round 1 pick is spent on someone other than a point guard.

The most appealing players in this range are reigning National Player of the Year Frank Mason III and Xavier Musketeers floor general Edmond Sumner.

Mason dominated 2016-17 with averages of 20.9 points, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 3-point field goals made per game on a slash line of .490/.471/.794. He’s undersized, but showed out at the 2017 NBA Draft Combine with a 41″ max vertical leap and brilliant 5-on-5 play.

Mason is a rugged competitor whose effort won’t be questioned, and that could conceivably make him the top option for the Knicks at No. 44.

Sumner is a tricky prospect as a poor 3-point shooter who’s recovering from a torn ACL. He’s also a near 6’6″ point guard with a 6’9″ wingspan, eye-opening athleticism, tremendous court vision, and the slashing ability to fill the Derrick Rose role—if he recovers properly from his injury.

New York needs a player who can generate consistent penetration, and if Sumner weren’t injured, he’d be a potential lottery pick. There’s risk, but it wouldn’t outweigh the reward at No. 44.

Home/Knicks Draft