New York Knicks: 2019 NBA Draft targets who stepped up on March 23
3. Ja Morant, Murray State
Slash Line: 8-for-21/5-for-6/7-for-9
Stat Line: 28 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block
Ja Morant burst onto the national scene in the opening round, which could do wonders for his eventual draft placement, if his top-five spot was ever in doubt. If anything, he might have become the No. 2 overall player behind Zion Williamson.
For about five minutes on Saturday, Morant looked primed for his sequel. He hit consecutive three-point shots and became the scoring catalyst of Murray State’s offense. Unfortunately, that may have been Florida State’s plan all along, as they shut down the rest of the lineup and let the sophomore guard do whatever he wanted.
A lopsided final score sent Morant and Murray State home, meaning basketball fans can’t see him play until at least the Summer League. It ended one of the tournament’s best stories, but the real talk can begin with the draft.
Before he headed to the bus, Ja Morant went back out into the arena to give his shoes to a young boy. pic.twitter.com/j3BsQ61Qhr
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 24, 2019
Morant is an interesting target for the New York Knicks. They have a young point guard already on the roster, but if they vye for the “best player available” thought process, this is a difficult player to disregard, unless president Steve Mills owns the No. 1 overall pick.
The lottery must transpire before this becomes realistic, but Morant should be in play for New York if they own the second pick in June.