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New York Knicks: Full 2017 NBA Mock Draft With Upside Comparisons

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Brandon Childress (0) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Demon Deacons won 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Brandon Childress (0) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Demon Deacons won 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) attempts to shoot the ball past Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) in the first half during the Big Ten Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) attempts to shoot the ball past Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) in the first half during the Big Ten Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

30. Utah Jazz: Caleb Swanigan, Purdue Boilermakers

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Paul Millsap
Safe Upside Comparison: Nikola Vucevic
Position: Forward/Center
Age: 20 (4/18/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8.5″, 246 pounds, 7’3″
2016-17 Slash Line: .527/.447/.781
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.5 MPG, 18.5 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 2.7 ORPG, 3.1 APG, 0.8 BPG, 1.1 3PM

The Utah Jazz addressed the pressing need for a playmaker by selecting Derrick White at No. 24 overall. At No. 30, Utah addresses the elephant in the room and finds a player who can alleviate pressure from Derrick Favors at power forward.

Caleb Swanigan isn’t the most explosive athlete in this draft class, but as a skilled power forward with a 3-point shot, he would have value to the Jazz.

Swanigan’s ultimate upside comparison is to Paul Millsap, if only on the offensive end of the floor. Like Millsap, he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty in the paint. He’s also a skilled shooter and passer who can contribute from all over the floor.

If the Jazz are looking for a big man who can post up, survey the floor, and get the ball where it needs to be, then Swanigan is the ideal target.

The appeal here is that Swanigan could relieve both Favors and Rudy Gobert. He’s not only ideal to play the role of a stretch 4 who thrives from midrange and can flex out to beyond the arc, a la Markieff Morris, but he can rebound and post up like a traditional center.

Rodions Kurucs is an option here, but Utah may need to play this safe to avoid alienating either Gordon Haywards or Joe Ingles before free agency.

Must Read: Evaluating the rumored options at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft

The question is: how good can these prospects really be? For the New York Knicks, the answer to that question will change everything.

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