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New York Knicks: Non-lottery point guards to consider in 2017 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 4, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) drives to the basket as Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) defends during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) drives to the basket as Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) defends during the first half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) drives around defender Purdue Boilermakers guard Carsen Edwards (3) during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) drives around defender Purdue Boilermakers guard Carsen Edwards (3) during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Monte Morris, Iowa State Cyclones

Projection: Second Round
Upside Comparison: Kirk Hinrich
Age: 21 (6/27/1995)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’2.5″, 175 pounds, 6’4″
2016-17 Slash Line: .465/.378/.802
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.3 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.5 SPG

Iowa State Cyclones point guard Monte Morris is a prospect who’s easy to appreciate. He plays for his teammates, takes care of the ball, scores with efficiency, and has the potential to be a quality defensive player on both ends of the floor.

If the Knicks opt against selecting a point guard in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft, then Morris could be the pure playmaker who provides stability in Round 2.

Morris has an ideal build for the point guard position at just under 6’3″ and 175 pounds. He showed an ability to play the passing lanes in college, and his effort could make him a favorite option for head coach Jeff Hornacek—who himself played for LSU.

Encouraging as that all may be, Morris’ true value is that he’s one of the most effective and efficient offensive players at his position.

Morris averaged 16.4 points and 6.2 assists to just 1.2 turnovers per game as a senior. That translates to an absolutely astonishing assist-to-turnover ratio of 5.17, and it’s paired with his efficient slash line of .465/.378/.802.

There’s no guaranteeing that Morris will be that efficient or productive in the NBA, but the best way to describe him is that he plays in control.

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