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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 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves the ball against the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves the ball against the Saint Mary’s Gaels during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Lauri Markkanen, Arizona Wildcats

Position: Power Forward
Age: 20 (5/22/1997)
Height & Weight: 7’0″ & 225 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line: .492/.423/.835
2016-17 Season Averages: 30.8 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 1.9 3PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves have options at No. 7 overall, but this should be an easy decision for Tom Thibodeau to make. The Timberwolves need to become a better shooting team in order to survive in the modern NBA, and Lauri Markkanen may be the best pure shooter in this draft class.

There are other intriguing talents on the board here, but Minnesota already has its go-to scorers in place—and adding another would only create more confusion.

Markkanen is a 7’0” power forward who can provide an ideal level of spacing for Minnesota’s star post player, Karl-Anthony Towns. He can also stretch the floor to create better driving lanes for Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and either Ricky Rubio or Kris Dunn.

Even without addressing the complete appeal of his game, Markkanen’s knockdown shooting ability should interest a Minnesota squad that ranked dead last in 3-point field goal percentage in 2016-17.

Beyond his ability to catch and shoot, Markkanen has proven to be a legitimate shot-maker. He can play from the post, pull up off the bounce, and hit jumpers from angles that—for once, it’s fair to go there—bring about flashes of a prime Dirk Nowitzki.

The New York Knicks don’t need another big man, but if Willy Hernangomez isn’t the answer at center, the duo of Markkanen and Kristaps Porzingis would be special.

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