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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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Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Charlie Moore (13) attempts to defend against Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) during the first half of the game at Haas Pavilion. California Golden Bears defeated the Washington Huskies 69-59. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Boston Celtics: Markelle Fultz, Washington Huskies

Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (5/29/1988)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 195 pounds, 6’9.75″
2016-17 Slash Line: .476/.413/.649
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.7 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 2.1 3PM

Once again, the Boston Celtics will go with the point guard who has the highest ceiling in the 2017 NBA Draft. One could argue whether or not Fultz will live up to the hype as the best player in this draft class, but he has the best individual game of any prospect available.

The Celtics would be gambling on losing Isaiah Thomas’ leadership and the locker room’s morale by drafting a point guard, but Fultz is a generational talent.

Physically, Fultz can provide the size in the backcourt that Boston currently lacks at either starting guard position. That should not only help him when driving the lane, but create the opportunity for Boston to start two elite defenders in he and Avery Bradley.

Isaiah Thomas has earned his keep as a legitimate star-caliber player—see: 28.9 points per game and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance—but Fultz would create a more sustainable formula.

The offensive appeal with Fultz is that he’s not only a dynamic slashing threat, but a capable off-ball scorer. He can work within a motion offense and space the floor with his outside shot, and can create in isolation when his number is called.

It’s fair to question how legitimate Fultz’s team-first mentality is based on the way Washington’s season went, but if anyone can get him to buy in, it’s Brad Stevens.

The New York Knicks will have their hands full for years to come.

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