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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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March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves to the basket against North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Drick Bernstine (43) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves to the basket against North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Drick Bernstine (43) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Lauri Markkanen, Arizona Wildcats

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Dirk Nowitzki
Safe Upside Comparison: Ryan Anderson
Position: Power Forward
Age: 20 (5/22/1997)
Height & Weight: 7’0″ & 225 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line: .492/.423/.835
2016-17 Season Averages: 30.8 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 1.9 3PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves have two potential superstars in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, and a potential All-Star in Zach LaVine. The rest is somewhat polarizing, but head coach and team president Tom Thibodeau has a long history of valuing defense.

If the Timberwolves are going to successfully build for the future, however, they must emphasize offense with the selection of Lauri Markkanen.

It may be cliche, but the ultimate upside comparison is Dirk Nowitzki. Markkanen is more than just an elite 3-point shooter—which he is—but a shot-maker who can create off the bounce and shoot over defenders on a consistent basis.

Markkanen will need to polish his post game, but his ability to create his own offense in isolation is what justifies the cliche and overused Nowitzki comparison.

The safer comparison is Ryan Anderson, who has become one of the best pure shooters in the NBA. Anderson is also a solid offensive rebounder with a respectable enough post game, thus rounding out his status as a top offensive player at his position.

Markkanen has been compared to New York Knicks rising star Kristaps Porzingis, but the difference in defense makes it more of a Nowitzki and Anderson situation.

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