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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 7, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Derrick White (21) releases a successful three point attempt over Xavier Musketeers guard J.P. Macura (55) in the first half at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Derrick White (21) releases a successful three point attempt over Xavier Musketeers guard J.P. Macura (55) in the first half at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

21. Oklahoma City Thunder: Derrick White, Colorado Buffaloes

Position: Guard
Age: 22 (7/2/1994)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.5″, 190 pounds, 6’7.5″
2016-17 Slash Line: .507/.396/.813
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.8 MPG, 18.1 PPG, 4.4 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.7 3PM

This may come as a surprise, but the Oklahoma City Thunder need to alleviate pressure from Russell Westbrook. For as impressive as it was for him to average a triple-double, the Thunder ask far too much of Westbrook offensively—and the best way to address that issue would be to find another playmaker.

Fortunately for the Thunder, one of the most underrated prospects in this draft class is available at No. 21 overall: Colorado Buffaloes combo guard Derrick White.

White has been a first-round selection in every Daily Knicks mock draft, and that makes his rise to No. 21 somewhat inevitable. Oklahoma City has a desperate need for depth at the point guard position, and, with respect to Alex Abrines, it also has a void to fill behind Victor Oladipo at shooting guard

White has the versatility to do exactly that with a physical profile that includes him standing at just under 6’5” with a wingspan that nearly spans 6’8” and a solid 36.5” max vertical leap.

From a skill perspective, White can shoot the 3-ball with efficiency and distribute the ball in both the open court and through the pick and roll. He rebounds at a high level for a guard, as well, and has upside on the defensive end of the floor due to his size, athleticism, and versatility.

Comparing White to Westbrook would be silly, but it’s worth noting that they ran the three quarter sprint—a measure of one’s end-to-end speed—in the same time of 3.08 seconds.

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