New York Knicks: Comparing potential options in 2017 NBA Draft
The New York Knicks are reportedly interested in three point guard prospects at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Who are the options?
The New York Knicks are currently in possession of the No. 8 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, three of the players whom the Knicks are considering are Malik Monk, Frank Ntilikina, and Dennis Smith Jr.
What do those prospects bring to the table and why should the Knicks be considering them?
Dennis Smith Jr.
Dennis Smith Jr. committed to North Carolina State after tearing his ACL prior to his senior year of high school. Like many athletes who undergo this gruesome injury, scouts questioned Smith’s ability to come back to his true form.
However, in the year before (his junior year), Smith averaged an impressive 22 points per game. He graduated high school early and averaged 18 points per game during his freshman year of college, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors.
Strengths
Smith’s willingness to drive to the paint results in him finishing at the rim consistently and drawing fouls effectively. His average of 6.2 assists per game led the ACC, and a higher number would most likely be seen if the N.C. State lineup consisted of better shooters.
However, Smith shined while passing in pick and roll plays, which, along with his basketball IQ, could be useful for the Knicks in given triangle offense scenarios.
Weaknesses
Smith must continue to work on something that the Knicks struggled with this year: Defense. N.C. State ranked dead last in the ACC in defensive efficiency and stood a paltry record of 4-14 against the rest of the conference.
Many have argued that the team’s performance this season was due to a lack of leadership from Smith. This can very well be concerning, although he is a college freshman, due to the Knicks’ desires to build around young talent for development.
If drafted, Smith would have to mesh into a leadership role for long-term plans in order to create a championship-level environment.
Encounters With The Knicks Organization
Smith was previously scheduled to workout with the Knicks, but he instead met with team president Phil Jackson. It isn’t clear what was said in the meeting, but fans are hoping that the conversation went something along the lines of, “If you’re available, we’re taking you.”
Frank Ntilikina
Frank Ntilikina already holds a status of being a current professional basketball player for Strasbourg in France. In the FIBA Europe U-18 Tournament, he outperformed teammates and opponents alike, averaging 22.7 points and 6.7 assists per game.
He joined current NBA players Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tony Parker as winners of the MVP award at the competition. In the championship game, he led France to victory in a game over Lithuania—where Ntilikina dropped 31 points.
Strengths
At 6’5″ with a wingspan of almost 7’0″, Ntilikina knows how to use his length to his advantage at the point guard position. His court vision, pace, and finishing ability enable him to thrive on the court.
Unlike Smith, Ntilikina plays lockdown defense and should be a matchup nightmare for other NBA guards.
Weaknesses
In terms of leadership, Ntilikina is a somewhat quiet voice who would excel under the leadership of another player. Thankfully, the Knicks have Carmelo Anthony (currently) and Kristaps Porzingis to aid and guide Ntilikina through the league.
The European connection between Porzingis and Ntilikina could be beneficial for the overall chemistry of the squad. He struggles with driving in traffic and turnovers, and his speed isn’t incredibly unique, either.
The same fear of drafting Europeans is omnipresent around Knicks fans, even after the Porzingis drafting. Ntilikina certainly looks promising and has the potential to succeed, but his background imposes an uncertain future in the NBA.
Encounters With The Knicks Organization
Because of Strasbourg’s current progress in their own playoffs, Ntilikina has declined to work out for any teams, including the Knicks. This may or may not hurt his draft stock, as he is, in the end, putting his current team before himself.
Thankfully, general manager Steve Mills has already scouted Ntilikina in France.
Malik Monk
Kentucky basketball features impressive alumni, including DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Rajon Rondo, and Anthony Davis. Along with the program’s fantastic team success, many fans are eager to witness players enter the NBA on their favorite team’s roster.
De’Aaron Fox, a projected top 5 pick, and Bam Adebayo, a projected mid to late first round pick, join Malik Monk as this year’s prospective rookies to join the league from the University of Kentucky.
Let’s focus specifically on Monk, as he ‘s certainly the most likely Kentucky star to land in New York.
Strengths
In an environment known for scoring, Monk went above and beyond as a freshman. He led his team in points per game with 19.8. Monk was, in short, the go-to scorer on a team that went to the Elite Eight during March Madness.
That gives him experience and an increase in draft stock. He can be tremendously explosive, quick, and aggressive at the rim, and he holds the potential to become an even greater shooter in the future.
Weaknesses
Like all scorers, Monk went ice cold on some nights in games against opposing teams like Florida, Georgia, and Texas A&M. His ability to grow into a more consistent scorer will determine just how successful he can be at the next level, because the talent is certainly there.
His size doesn’t amaze scouts, standing at a reasonable height of 6’3″ and weighing in at 197 pounds. In the end, there isn’t much to complain about.
Encounters With The Knicks Organization
Monk, like Smith, had dinner with Phil Jackson. Unlike Smith, he still still had a workout. Monk (surprisingly) praised the triangle offense and claimed that he felt as though it was a great fit for him.
In addition, he claimed that having Jackson watch over him during the workouts was “crazy,” per Al Iannazzone of Newsday:
"“It was good,” he said. “Phil was there. That’s always big when he’s there. But it was good for me.“I went to dinner the night before. He talked to me a little bit. He really didn’t say that much though. It was crazy just seeing them there watching me because I’ve seen him with Kobe and Jordan, great players like that. I’m just thankful to be in that situation.”"
When asked about the triangle, Monk stated that New York exclusively ran the system during his workout.
Of course, Monk hasn’t played a single game for the Knicks yet, let alone a game in the NBA. Only time and chance will tell if the Knicks’ offense will be beneficial for the Kentucky star.
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