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New York Knicks: Did the front office get the 2018 NBA Draft right?

By Alex Seyad

BROOKLYN, NY- JUNE 21: Kevin Knox speaks with the media after being selected number nine overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 in Brooklyn, NY. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY- JUNE 21: Kevin Knox speaks with the media after being selected number nine overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 in Brooklyn, NY. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks selected Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson at the 2018 NBA Draft, and later signed Allonzo Trier. Did New York get it right?

As the clock expired for the last pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, 60 rookies had been drafted and 60 dreams had been fulfilled Now the question is: Did the New York Knicks make the right decisions when it was their time to shine?

As the dust settles and the new day emerges, fans and sports analysts will be looking back at their respective team’s performance in the NBA Draft and wondering if their team got it right.

For teams like the Atlanta Hawks and the Phoenix Suns, a new era is beginning as they add potential star power to their rosters, as well as a little more than most expected them to leave with.

For other teams, only time will tell if the young individuals they chose will have successful NBA careers or become considered draft busts.

Last night, the Knicks skipped over Michael Porter Jr. and Mikal Bridges in order to draft Kevin Knox out of Kentucky. The move has received mixed reviews from fans and analysts alike.

Many believe that the Knicks should’ve taken the gamble on Porter’s health, as he has a very high ceiling and had been regarded as a potential top-3 pick before his injury.

Others believe that the Knicks should’ve drafted the safer choice in Bridges.

Knox is also considered a gamble, as the Knicks are relying on his tremendous upside and his youth. Knox is the second-youngest player in this class (he’s turning 19 in August) and is considered a project, much like Ntilikina and Porzingis were.

Like Porzingis, Knox received many boos from Knicks fans at the draft, which could be a sign that he will have a star-caliber career.

On a serious note, the front office’s selection of Knox may result in a pleasant reward if he realizes his potential. Kentucky coach John Calipari compared Knox to Jason Tatum and Paul George, and a glance at his highlight reel can reveal the upside.

A look at his scouting report will show you that he has some definite potential as an offensive player, and the physical tools to be a force on both ends of the court.

Of course, he has his weaknesses and concerns in things like his motor, defensive prowess, offensive consistency, and shot selection, but at 18 years old, those things can be expected.

What will really determine the success of Knox’s early NBA career is his personal drive to get better—and the work of head coach David Fizdale to help this young man reach his full potential.

The Knicks also drafted Mitchell Robinson, who’s a bit of a mystery and a riskier gamble than Knox. Robinson has had an interesting path to the NBA in that he changed colleges and eventually withdrew from college basketball in order to prepare for the Draft.

He didn’t attend the combine in Chicago, nor did he work out for the Knicks.

A glance at his scouting report, will tell you that he’s a high-upside raw talent who has the potential to be a devastating finisher and rim protector. He’s also been working on building up his three-point shot.

Robinson will definitely be a player ehom the Knicks stash in the G League for the foreseeable future as he works to refine his skill set and learn to play in Fizdale’s system. When he’s ready to join New York, he has the potential to be a much-needed force at the center position.

Along with two-way contract recipient Allonzo Trier, the Knicks added three new players to its young foundation.

Unfortunately the New York Knicks weren’t able to trade for additional assets, nor were they able to off-load the salaries of players like Courtney Lee and Joakim Noah, if they tried to at all.

The next few weeks, and even months, will include debates about if these new players will be able to handle the pressure of playing in the Garden—or even provide the Knicks with the talent that they will need to rebuild.

Must Read: Five reasons to love the Kevin Knox pick

In the end, the successful development of these young individuals rests on their own work ethic and the Knicks’ ability to cash in on their potential and produce high-quality players within the timeline of their rebuild.

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