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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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March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) shoots a free throw against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 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; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) shoots a free throw against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Portland Trail Blazers: Zach Collins, Gonzaga Bulldogs

Position: Power Forward
Age: 19 (11/18/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 232 pounds, 7’1″
2016-17 Slash Line: .652/.476/.743
2016-17 Season Averages: 17.2 MPG, 10.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 ORPG, 1.8 BPG

The best bet for the Portland Trail Blazers would be to trade the No. 15 overall selection, and not just because the New York Knicks want it. Portland has an abundance of talent on the roster, and adding more players in need of minutes would only complicate Terry Stotts’ job as head coach.

With ideal selection Justin Jackson off the board and trades not included in this mock draft, however, Portland opts to select an athletic power forward in Gonzaga Bulldogs star Zach Collins.

Collins is an athletic 7’0” big man who can play above the rim and run the floor well in transition. That gives him intriguing pick and roll potential with Damian Lillard, who would benefit greatly from having an athletic big man who can quickly roll to the basket and catch lobs.

There are a number of modern big men who excel in that regard, but Collins would bring the diversity of being able to knock down a midrange or 3-point jump shot off of a screen.

Collins will need to improve his fundamentals on the defensive end of the floor, but he’s already an outstanding shot-blocker. If Collins commits on D and continues to grow on offense, he could not only complement Jusuf Nurkic, but potentially develop into an All-Star level player in his own right.

For perspective on why the New York Knicks would have their hands full with Collins, he finished 2016-17 with averages of 23.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals per 40 minutes.

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