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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 28, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) tries to get the ball past Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) tries to get the ball past Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Sacramento Kings: Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles

Position: Forward
Age: 19 (10/3/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 205 pounds, 7’1.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .508/.348/.780
2016-17 Season Averages: 26.2 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 3PM

The Sacramento Kings have a decision to make at No. 5 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Vlade Divac can either take the best player available—Jonathan Isaac—or make a slight reach for a player at the biggest position of need: point guard.

Sacramento gambles here on Isaac, and thus takes a chance on a worthy point guard still being available at No. 10 overall, when it will pick again.

Some might argue that Jayson Tatum is better than Isaac, but the Kings should value the upside Isaac possesses. Not only is he advanced in his offensive vision, but he projects to be one of the best defensive players in this draft class.

For a team that’s attempting to build around a one-way shooting guard in Buddy Hield, drafting a perimeter player with the ability to defend at a high level should be a top priority.

Isaac has been near the top of the big board Daily Knicks has created for the New York Knicks. He has the potential for positional versatility with elite physical tools for a traditional 3 or stretch 4, and plays a Gordon Hayward type of game on the offensive end of the floor.

Isaac is something of a project player at this current juncture, but with the right coaching and work ethic, he could become the best player to emerge from this draft class.

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