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2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks and the value of the point guard

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) controls the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) controls the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) takes a shot against Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Louisville defeats Indiana 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) takes a shot against Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Louisville defeats Indiana 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Denver Nuggets: OG Anunoby, Indiana Hoosiers

Position: Small Forward
Age: 19 (7/17/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7.75″, 232 pounds, 7’2.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .557/.311/.563
2016-17 Season Averages: 25.1 MPG, 11.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.9 3PM

The Denver Nuggets are building the future of the organization around power forward Nikola Jokic. Jokic has justified the hype through two seasons, flashing legitimately elite potential with 2016-17 averages of 21.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per 36 minutes.

With Danilo Gallinari entering free agency and the Nuggets in need of a long-term plan at small forward, Indiana Hoosiers star OG Anunoby becomes the potential next star behind Jokic.

Anunoby could miss the entirety of the 2016-17 NBA regular season as he recovers from the knee injury he endured this past season. He could be well worth the wait for Denver, however, as he has the physical tools to play and defend either forward position—much like a player Malone once coached: Draymond Green.

Denver could conceivably re-sign Gallinari and develop Anunoby long-term behind him, a la Green behind David Lee on the Golden State Warriors team Malone was once an assistant coach for.

Offensively, Anunoby is a raw prospect who gets by more on his athleticism than his established skill level. His work ethic has been heralded by those around the Indiana men’s basketball program, however, and that alone could help Malone build a healthy team around Jokic.

The New York Knicks could be interested in selecting the IU star, but Denver makes a rational gamble on Anunoby recovering from his knee injury and becoming the lockdown defender he’s capable of being.

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