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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Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) defends in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) defends in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

8. New York Knicks: Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles

Position: Small Forward
Age: 19 (10/3/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.5″, 205 pounds, 7’1.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .508/.348/.780
2016-17 Season Averages: 26.2 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 3PM

Dennis Smith Jr. is the No. 1 option, but for the sake of diversifying the options, we go a different and equally as promising route.

The New York Knicks are in possession of the swing pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The realistic options are small forward Jonathan Isaac and point guards Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr., and all three make sense for Phil Jackson.

Although the need for a point guard is undeniable, the appeal of Isaac is strong enough that the organization should take a chance on him.

It’s difficult to justify passing on Smith at No. 8, but in this mock draft, the Knicks side with size. In turn, they build a starting frontcourt that consists of three players who both compete on defense and stand at 6’11” or taller: Isaac, Kristaps Porzingis, and Willy Hernangomez.

Isaac will need time to bulk up and polish his defensive fundamentals, but he has the size and length to be a disruptive force at small forward.

Offensively, Isaac isn’t yet a finished product, but he sees the game in a way that few can. He’s shown the ability to split double teams, dribble out of traffic, and use a vast array of moves to elude defenders and create open shots.

This may not be the most popular decision, but whether or not Jeff Hornacek and the Knicks are going to run the triangle offense, having this kind of size would be overwhelming.

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