New York Knicks: Top 5 2019 NBA Draft backcourt prospects as of March 2

2. Ja Morant, Murray State

Slash Line: .505/.338/.808
Stat Line: 24.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 10.3 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 1.6 3PM

The biggest riser of the class, Ja Morant projects as a top five pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Even from Murray State, he’s impressed as a sophomore and could challenge to become the second player taken this summer.

Morant’s stats will jump off the page, but it goes beyond that, with elite athleticism and long arms to steal and block shots. It should make him at least an above average defender in the NBA, owning the potential to grow there and use his aggressive play to create opportunities offensively.

A more than willing passer, Morant has dished a whopping 10.5 assists per game. It’s an increase of four from 2017-18, albeit with 5.1 turnovers, but that’s the product of the ball frequently in his hands as Murray State’s superstar.

Either way, he projects as any NBA teams’ starting point guard. Maybe for the Phoenix Suns or Chicago Bulls, both of whom have a need there.

The New York Knicks have three players to hold that position, but Mudiay will hit restricted free agency and Ntilikina’s role never stayed consistent. Smith Jr. is intriguing, but does the organization feel he’s the future?

If not, Morant is the next point guard of the future in the Big Apple. They have cycled through distributors for years, with no long term solution ever in place. The latest, arguably, was Stephon Marbury, but he had a short shelf life.