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
7 of 7
Next
Mar 4, 2017; Reno, NV, USA; Nevada forward Cameron Oliver (0) dunks against Colorado State in the second half of their NCAA basketball game at Lawlor Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Reno, NV, USA; Nevada forward Cameron Oliver (0) dunks against Colorado State in the second half of their NCAA basketball game at Lawlor Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

Alternative Options

Power forward Cameron Oliver may be a polarizing option, but he’d be the perfect addition to the Knicks’ current frontcourt. He’s a bit undersized at 6’8″, but he has a wingspan that ranges beyond 7’1″, a near 40″ max vertical leap, and elite production as a shot-blocker.

Oliver is also a rugged defensive rebounder and a consistent 3-point shooter, which could make him the needed athletic backup to Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez.

It’s understandable to frown at another big man being drafted, but New York needs an athlete who can cover ground from an interior position. Porzingis and Hernangomez share defensive potential, but neither are the explosive athlete that Oliver has proven to be.

By adding a mobile interior player who can space the floor and crash the defensive glass, the Knicks would complete the formation of their frontcourt of the future.

If not Oliver, then the Knicks should consider drafting Arizona Wildcats point guard Kobi Simmons. Simmons needs to prove himself more on the court, but he showed flashes of elite defensive potential and is one of the best athletes in this draft class.

New York could conceivably draft Simmons and stash him in Westchester for a season. If developed properly, he could be the defensive hound Jeff Hornacek needs.

Must Read: The Knicks worked out five 2017 NBA Draft prospects

The New York Knicks have a chance to expedite the rebuild at the 2017 NBA Draft. Would these picks help them do so?

Home/Knicks Draft