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New York Knicks: Early predictions for 2019 NBA Draft needs

By Alex Rubinfeld

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: Kristaps Porzingis meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: Kristaps Porzingis meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Duke RJ Barrett (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
Duke RJ Barrett (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

RJ Barrett

At the top of the pact and arguably the best prospect in this draft, RJ Barrett still remains a realistic option for the Knicks, given the new lottery reform. As part of the Duke big three, the freshman shooting guard has been stuffing the stat sheet by putting up 24.5 PPG with 48.3 field goal percentage, along with 7.1 RPG and 4.1 APG.

Though the Knicks are mostly stocked up at the two-guard spot, Barrett seems to be a can’t miss prospect. Tim Hardaway Jr.‘s future is most likely to still be with the Knicks considering the remaining $54.3 million over three years left on his contract. Allonzo Trier‘s emergence, Damyean Dotson‘s solid second year, and Courtney Lee‘s position on the roster have also made the two spot even murkier.

If Barrett was sitting there with the Knicks pick, assuming Zion was already picked, it would seem foolish not to take him. Subsequently, it would probably mean that one or more of the aforementioned Knicks’ guards will be dealt.

Barrett’s offensive game and potential to improve on defense standing at 6’6″ with a 6’9″ wingspan, according to NBAdraft.net, will make the Knicks reconsider their guard logjam for this upcoming offseason.

Cameron Reddish

If I mention Barrett, you know Duke wing Cameron Reddish must follow on this list as well. hough, Reddish has been seen as the third best prospect at Duke, he is still regarded as the arguably the third best prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft.

His athleticism, potential on defense, and overall size make him a great candidate for the Knicks. His shot is still a work in progress, as he is only shooting 38.2 field goal percentage, but his shot mechanics along with his 77.4 free throw percentage are encouraging signs of later improvement.

His versatility will make it easier for the Knicks to fit him into next season’s lineup as he could play anywhere from the two to the four. The Duke wing is a similar prospect to Kevin Knox, as both are about the same size and have both been compared to players like Paul George and Jayson Tatum.

As Reddish will most likely be a project for the Knicks, he would still help the overall depth of the bench, if he wasn’t suited to start in year one.

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