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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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Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Phoenix Suns: De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (12/20/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3.25″, 170 pounds, 6’6.5″
2016-17 Slash Line: .479/.246/.736
2016-17 Season Averages: 29.6 MPG, 16.7 PPG, 4.6 APG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG

The Phoenix Suns already have two quality point guards in Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. Neither have succeeded in leading Phoenix to the playoffs, however, and both have enough trade value to return something of aid to the Suns’ rebuilding efforts.

With Devin Booker establishing himself as a potentially elite scorer and a turnstile on defense, De’Aaron Fox would be the perfect fit for this process.

While Booker is a sharpshooter and subpar defender, Fox is an gifted passer and a menace in on-ball situations. Fox prides himself on being able to lock opposing point guards down, and for Phoenix, not much should matter more than finding perimeter players who can do exactly that.

Fox is also one of the most dominant slashers in this draft class, thus elevating his value for a team that needs a player who can consistently attack the teeth of a defense.

With Fox and Booker on the roster together, the Suns would have a backcourt that offers a sustainable formula for success. Bledsoe and Knight are both solid players, but both are closer to 30 than 20, while Booker is closer to 20 than 25—and, in due time, the mismatched timelines will become an issue.

The New York Knicks would love nothing more than to select Fox, but it’s unlikely that he’ll fall any further than No. 5 in the 2017 NBA Draft.

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