The 2018 NBA Draft is flush with sleepers who are worth looking into. For the New York Knicks, few are quite as compelling as Penn State star Tony Carr.
As all eyes turn to the first-round draft pick that the New York Knicks currently possess, many are overlooking the value of the selection in Round 2. Second-round prospects are often viewed as non-factors, but great scouting staffs can find a diamond in the rough at any and every stage.
One of the players whom the Knicks should give serious consideration to selecting in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft is Penn State Nittany Lions star Tony Carr.
Carr and the Nittany recently defeated the Utah Utes in the championship game of the 2018 National Invitation Tournament. Carr was munificent in the outing, showcasing his well-rounded skill set and even thriving on defense.
It may have been Carr’s final game at the collegiate level, as the 2018 First-Team All-Big Ten honoree has surfaced on the Round 1 bubble of the 2018 NBA Draft.
It’s possible that Carr won’t be available when the Knicks come up to select a prospect in the second round of this coming June’s selection process. He has compelling NBA potential, as well as a skill set that could fit with the Knicks.
The question is: What do the New York Knicks need to know about Penn State Nittany Lions guard, 2018 NBA Draft prospect, and NIT standout Tony Carr?
5. Physical Tools
Whether fair or foul, one of the contributing factors to determining how a player will fit in the NBA is an evaluation of their physical tools. A prospect can certainly overachieve, but it’s certainly agreed upon that certain height, length, and athleticism requirements should be met at every position.
For Penn State Nittany Lions star Tony Carr, one of the most appealing aspects of his profile as a prospect are his NBA-caliber measurements and athleticism.
Carr has beyond ideal measurements for a point guard at 6’3″ and 204 pounds with a 6’8″ wingspan. That should enable him to excel on both ends of the floor at the position, as it’s rare that his size, length, or strength will be inadequate.
Carr also has impressive lateral quickness on defense and an explosive first step that enables him to get by his man in isolation.
Carr may not be the next Russell Westbrook from an athletic perspective, but he’s more than qualified to play in the NBA. He has the foot speed and agility to thrive in both transition and the half court, and an intriguing measure of hang time on the drive.
If Carr proves to be more of a shooting guard, then his length should at least help him inch closer towards silencing the concerns that he’s undersized.
4. Dribble Penetration
For all of the issues that the New York Knicks have endured in recent seasons, nothing has been more damaging than the inability to create penetration. The Knicks have routinely struggled to collapse opposing defenses, which has inevitably limited the effectiveness of its outside shooting.
With Tony Carr, the Knicks would have a player who can utilize their handle and quickness to attack a set defense and get into the paint.
Carr’s handle is an asset that should help him earn significant opportunities at the next level. He can break a defender down in isolation, weave through traffic in the open court, and keep the ball close to him when he’s on the drive.
Once Carr gets into the paint, he has the versatile ability to either finish amongst the trees or execute creative passes from seemingly impossible angles.
Carr needs to polish his finishing ability, but the foundation is in place for him to develop into a legitimate NBA scorer. Even if Carr’s value is as more of a facilitator than a scorer, he’s qualified to fill that role—one that the Knicks currently struggle to address.
New York is currently No. 29 in the NBA in drives per game, which makes a player of Carr’s caliber and style of play one who’s immediately worth considering.
3. Defensive Potential
As previously acknowledged, Tony Carr has an excellent build for a point guard and an acceptable combination of physical traits for a 2. Regardless of which position he plays, what Carr proved in college is that he’s capable of playing tremendous defense.
With intriguing instincts on that end of the floor, Carr should at least become a quality defender in the NBA if he commits to learning the scheme.
With a 6’8″ wingspan and above-average lateral quickness, Carr can stay in front of slashing scorers and playmakers. He can also recover quickly and run three-point shooters off the line, which is a trait that the Knicks have yet to come close to mastering.
Carr isn’t exactly the epitome of a ball hawk, but he certainly has the potential to become the type of well-rounded defender whom every team searches for.
For the New York Knicks, pairing Carr with Frank Ntilikina would mean creating a backcourt with two players who have a high basketball IQ. When Carr is locked in, he’s simply a step ahead of the other players on the court from a mental perspective.
If the Knicks manage to acquire and develop Carr, he could potentially emerge as a leader on the defensive end of the floor with the way he thinks the game through.
2. Three-Point Shooting
The New York Knicks currently rank dead last in the NBA in three-point field goals made per game. That’s a devastating distinction in the modern era, during which the ability to convert the outside shot is nothing short of critical to sustained success.
By selecting Penn State Nittany Lions star Tony Carr, the Knicks would go a long way towards solidifying the perimeter and addressing that weakness.
Carr converted 33 three-point field goals on 32.0 percent shooting during his freshman season. He came back with a vengeance in 2017-18, however, burying 88 shots from beyond the arc on an elite mark of 43.3 percent shooting.
That alone should make Carr an appealing option for the Knicks, as he’d be the only point guard on the roster who can be referred to as consistent from distance.
No Knicks point guard is averaging more than 1.0 three-point field goals made per game. The numbers don’t necessarily need to be gaudy, but in this era, a team must be able to trust its lead guards to shoot with more consistency.
If the coaching staff works out Carr and determines that he’s as good of a shooter as the numbers display, then he could be a steal of a selection.
1. Facilitating Ability
There are some who question if Tony Carr is more of a point guard or a shooting guard, but it’s an unnecessary conversation. Carr can play both with and without the ball, and when he’s tasked with collapsing a defense and hitting the open man, he does exactly that.
The New York Knicks have a need for players who can simplify the game for their teammates, which makes Carr an ideal target as a facilitating hybrid guard.
Carr does an excellent job of beating the first defender, drawing help, and finding the open man. When the defense allows him to explore extra space in the paint, he can find his bigs who have positioned themselves for feeds from just under the rim.
It’s a rare trait, but Carr’s passing ability can best be described as creative in the sense that he hasn’t met an angle that he can’t overcome.
If the Knicks are going to solidify the point guard position, then the ideal backup would be a player who can set the table. The unit should be defensive-minded, but on the offensive end of the floor, it would certainly behoove Scott Perry to find a facilitator.
If nothing else, Carr can fit the bill as an aggressive and dynamic passer who can simplify the game for his teammates.
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Tony Carr would have an opportunity to be a lottery pick if he were to return to Penn State for the 2018-19 season, but the New York Knicks should consider him if he declares for the 2018 NBA Draft.