New York Knicks: Deep Sleepers To Consider In 2017 NBA Draft

Kadeem Allen, Arizona Wildcats

Position: Point Guard
Age: 24 (1/15/1993)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’2.25″, 192 pounds, 6’9.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .453/.427/.741
2016-17 Season Averages: 30.0 MPG, 9.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.9 3PM

The single most important improvement the New York Knicks can make this offseason is defense. That may not come in the form of any one individual player, but finding the right on-ball defenders will be of critical importance to the future of the organization.

While it may be difficult to find ace perimeter defenders in the NBA Draft, Arizona Wildcats point guard Kadeem Allen qualifies as such.

Allen has the longest wingspan and the fourth-longest standing reach of any point guard in the 2017 NBA Draft. That length, as well as his strong 192.4-pound frame, create the foundation for his defensive execution.

For a Knicks team that routinely struggled to defend the point guard position, adding a defender of Allen’s caliber would be a wise move in the second round.

On the offensive end of the floor, Allen is an unselfish player who can space the floor and facilitate the flow of a system. He’s not necessarily a star-caliber distributor, but he’s the type of player who would fit well as a two-way player in the triangle offense.

Defense was the name of the game for every successful Knicks team in the past, and Allen is the type of prospect who can help New York return to that status.