2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks and all 60 picks
Dennis Smith Jr.. 5. player. 67. . Point Guard. North Carolina State Wolfpack
Ultimate Upside Comparison: Damian Lillard
Safe Upside Comparison: Baron Davis
Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (11/25/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 195 pounds, 6’3″
2016-17 Slash Line: .455/.359/.715
2016-17 SeasonAverages: 34.8 MPG, 18.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.7 3PM
This may come as a surprise to some, but Dennis Smith Jr. has been one of the Top 5 players on the Daily Knicks big board for months on end. He’s not only an outstanding athlete, but a generational talent whose story isn’t being put into context.
Smith should be in play for the Boston Celtics at No. 3, but if he falls to No. 5, then the Sacramento Kings would be daft to let him slide any further.
Smith was individually brilliant as a freshman, recording two triple-doubles and leading the ACC in assists per game. That much has been stated on a consistent basis, as well as the fact that he led an undermanned N.C. State team to a shocking upset of the Duke Blue Devils in Durham.
What’s often overlooked, however, is that Smith did all of this in his first full season back from a torn ACL.
History implies that, if his knee holds up, he’ll only get better as becomes more comfortable in his body.
There’s no way to predict how strong someone’s work ethic will be, but Smith is as safe a bet as any. He plays the game with a relentless passion, and needed to put the time in just to get back to playable form—and he’s miles beyond that point already.
For a Sacramento Kings team that needs nothing more than a point guard, it can’t afford to hope one will be available at No. 10.
The New York Knicks would love to select Smith at the 2017 NBA Draft, but if general managers are wise, he won’t get anywhere near No. 8.