Daily Knicks
Fansided

2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks Embrace The Sleepers

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 10, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) celebrates during the second half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) celebrates during the second half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Mar 1, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) shoots the ball while being defended by Clemson Tigers guard Avry Holmes (12) during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Clemson, SC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) shoots the ball while being defended by Clemson Tigers guard Avry Holmes (12) during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Alternative Options

If Jonathan Isaac isn’t the selection, then two top targets who are most likely to be available are point guards Frank Ntilikina of Strasbourg and Dennis Smith Jr. of North Carolina State. They’re two entirely different players, but both offer reasons for intrigue.

If Isaac isn’t the selection, then the New York Knicks would define the future by choosing between Ntilikina and Smith.

Ntilikina stands at 6’5″ with a projected 7’0″ wingspan, which has inevitably won him fans in NBA Draft circles. He’s regarded as a prospect with elite defensive potential, which should appeal to a Knicks team that ranked No. 25 in points allowed per 100 possessions in 2016-17.

Ntilikina also has improving court vision as a facilitator and an outside shot that has enabled him to become a well-rounded scoring threat.

Smith is 6’3″ with a matching wingspan, but he plays the game even bigger as a slashing playmaker. He’s an explosive athlete who can create penetration at will and finish among the trees with his creativity around the rim and impressive ability to finish above it.

Coupled with the ability to facilitate and score from both midrange and beyond the arc, Smith has the profile of a potentially elite offensive player.

Home/Knicks Draft