The 2017 NBA Draft houses one of the more promising draft classes to date. The New York Knicks should be looking to make the most of this opportunity.
The New York Knicks improved a tad bit with the immediate upgrade of Derrick Rose over Jose Calderon. However, the key word in that sentence is “immediate.”
The extension of a player who has rapidly eroded in recent years does very little for a team’s chances as a title contender, or even as a playoff team. Nevertheless, the ditch that the Knicks are in is deeper than advertised.
The following is one of the many reasons why the point guard position should be top priority for improvement. The Knicks are in desperate need of capable players who can fill the team’s positional needs.
In mere weeks, the 2017 NBA Draft will transpire. The Knicks are sitting on hit or miss draft picks at No. 8, No. 44, and No. 58. The team is evaluating a frenzy of serviceable options, and has registered a collection of prospects on their radar.
These prospects all seem to fill roster needs as able young talent. With enough intuition, the Knicks can consider trading for a fourth option they’d otherwise miss out on due to drafting limitations.
The availability in the lower regions of the draft will feature targets who aren’t named Frank Ntilikina, Malik Monk, Dennis Smith Jr., or Jonathan Issac.
The likes of Indiana’s OG Anunoby, Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan, Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo, and Iowa State Cyclones’ Deonte Burton and Monte Morris are subjects for the Knicks’ third draft option.
The resolve for prompt action during the draft to swap picks, or trading after the draft, would be necessary given the state of the Knicks. Although, the former is much more of a surer thing to accomplish this transaction.
What’s interesting is that all of the Knicks’ scouted players are positioned like acquisitions who are meant for this team’s current roster. It would be with the utmost intrigue if the Knicks can pull off a phenomena of acquiring a fourth prospect.
However, this discussion opens up a can of worms, which can entertain a variety of options to acquire them. I advocate the Knicks being inventive this coming June.
The New York Knicks haven’t seen the a draft class that is as deep and full of promise in recent memory.