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New York Knicks: Scott Perry talks prospect of drafting a guard

By Maxwell Ogden

GREENBURG, NY - JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
GREENBURG, NY - JULY 17: New York Knicks team President, Steve Mills and Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks introduce General Manager Scott Perry at a pess conference at the at Knicks Practice Center July 17, 2017 in Greenburg, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Steven Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks will select the best player available, but there’s a caveat that general manager Scott Perry explained.

New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry has made waves in the NBA Draft community. Despite the widespread belief that the Knicks need help at small forward and center, Perry has made it clear that he will select the best player available.

That certainly implies that New York would be willing to select a player at one of the two guard positions at No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.

It’s a divisive stance on the matter, as some believe that the Knicks are the ideal wing or center away from relevance. The theme of Perry’s comments about the future of the franchise, however, is that very little is set in stone.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Perry provided the necessary context to what disregarding position for the sake of talent truly entails.

"“It would only make sense if you feel that guard is far and away better than what you have on the roster,’’ Perry said in Chicago at the draft combine. “And we haven’t been able to make that determination yet.”"

In other words: New York will select a guard if they’re the best player available, but only if they’re also better than the current players on the roster.

That’s a bold claim for a general manager to make with an abundance of quality young guards on his roster. Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Frank Ntilikina are competing for minutes at point guard, and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Damyean Dotson are up-and-coming players at the 2-spot.

What Perry has clearly stated is that, in the event that the Knicks select a guard at the 2018 NBA Draft, it’ll be due to the determination that they’re better than the current players.

Perry would be doing himself a disservice to take a different approach, but stating what he did will increaase the pressure on the incumbents.

Recently hired head coach David Fizdale has already begun hosting voluntary workouts for the Knicks. It stands to reason that he did so with the 2018 NBA Draft in mind, as his guards highlighted the cast of players who were in attendance.

All are auditioning for a role in Fizdale’s rotation, as well as a spot on the roster, if Perry’s comments are to be taken at face value.

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The question is: Who will share the backcourt for the New York Knicks during the 2018-19 NBA season?

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