In this 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Daily Knicks provides upside comparisons for every Round 1 prospect. Who do the New York Knicks..."/> In this 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Daily Knicks provides upside comparisons for every Round 1 prospect. Who do the New York Knicks..."/>
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2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks And A Full Round 1

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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23. Toronto Raptors: Jonathan Jeanne, Nancy

Position: Center
Age: 19 (7/3/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’2″, 207 pounds, 7’6.5″
2016-17 Slash Line: .437/.231/.483
2016-17 Season Averages: 10.4 MPG, 3.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.2 ORPG, 0.6 BPG

At some point in the near future, the Toronto Raptors will need to determine whether or not Jonas Valanciunas is the franchise center. He’s displayed flashes of brilliance, but the 25-year-old hasn’t yet lived up to the hype of being a Top 5 draft pick.

While Valanciunas is progressing on offense, his defensive inconsistency leads the Raptors to selecting a center who can protect the rim.

Jonathan Jeanne is an enigma, but he’s garnered understandable comparison to Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert. He stands at 7’2″ and 206 pounds with a 7’6.5″ wingspan and a 9’5.5″ standing reach, which are comparable measurements to Gobert.

Toronto is coached by a defensive mastermind in Dwane Casey, and Jeanne could be the interior anchor who rounds out the construction of a contender.

Jeanne would be signed to a rookie-scale deal, which alone is reason to be intrigued by this selection. He has the potential to be a dominant shot-blocker and a solid rebounder, and that could provide the necessary balance to Valanciunas.

The best-case scenario for the Raptors is that Jeanne could one day usurp Valanciunas as the starter if the latter can’t realize his star potential.

Jeanne is unlikely to be on the radar for the New York Knicks, but he and Kristaps Porzingis would form a physically incomparable interior.

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