2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks And All 30 First-Round Picks
By Yazen Abed
7. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jonathan Isaac (Florida State)
The ongoing narrative with the young pup Minnesota Timberwolves is that they’re young, talented, and ready to compete. And yet, they still haven’t made the playoffs since 2004.
This pick could easily be shopped by Tom Thibodeau in a package deal for a veteran, but given the current state of affairs in the NBA, it may be best for him to continue to collect talent and let them grow.
With Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins as the cornerstones, Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn are promising young starters. Isaac can fill that 4 spot and allow Towns to go to work at the five.
Isaac’s length (6’11” with a 7’1″ wingspan) makes him extremely versatile on both ends of the floor and will make the ever-growing Wolves more exciting to watch.
8. New York Knicks – Dennis Smith Jr. (North Carolina State)
Alas, the reason why everyone is reading this mock draft: who are the New York Knicks going to take after failing to properly tank this year? The answer is not as easy as it looks.
Phil Jackson may covet the 3-point prowess of Malik Monk for the triangle (see my previous article for my thoughts on the triangle). With Monk and Fox off the board, however, the Knicks will have to decide between two great point guard prospects: Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina.
Smith Jr. is reminiscent of Kyle Lowry. He’s an explosive athlete with bulldog-like intensity. He can also be a streaky shooter from deep. Ntilikina, the French international man of mystery, is a much longer, more defensive-minded player that may be a work in progress on offense.
Jackson doesn’t shy away from nabbing international prospects (see: Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, Mindaugas Kuzminskas), but I’ll give the edge to Smith for his game-changing ability on offense.