New York Knicks: Top five targets at No. 3 in 2019 NBA Draft
With the New York Knicks set at No. 3 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, who are potentially the top five players available for them to take?
The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery did not happen as expected for the New York Knicks. There was no claiming of the No. 1 pick, as the New Orleans Pelicans won that right to likely select Duke’s Zion Williamson.
Instead, the Knicks will pick No. 3. It is their highest draft choice since 1985, when Patrick Ewing went first overall in the inaugural lottery.
No Williamson created a whirlwind of reactions, but there is a draft beyond this player, and the Knicks will have their choice from all but two players in this pool. Who the second one becomes is unknown, but for the sake of this, let’s assume the Memphis Grizzlies select Ja Morant at No. 2.
Behind Williamson and Morant, who are the next five best prospects available for the Knicks to take? As of May 15, here are the following players:
Age: 21
Height, Weight: 6-foot-8, 234 pounds
Slash Line: .591/.417/.739
Season Averages: 19.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 0.4 3PM
Rui Hachimura is a potential top-10 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Perhaps he lands in the top five and plays off a successful first full season starting with Gonzaga, depending on which teams like him.
No. 3 is a stretch for Hachimura, who has a long way to travel in his development. His scoring acumen was apparent in college, with 19.7 points on nearly 60 percent shooting. Outside shooting left something to be desired, though, despite a 41.7 percent mark. He made averaged just 0.4 three-pointers per game.
Since Hachimura is not an elite rebounder for his size, finding that long-range touch is necessary for his future improvement. He is already a good athlete and can defend, but shooting ability will make or break how far he climbs in the NBA.
That will also decide if the Japanese sensation can play off Mitchell Robinson, the New York Knicks rim-running center. A stretch four to play off him is ideal, and if the Knicks believe Hachimura can be this guy, he is worth a pick. Maybe not as high as third, but trading down four or five spots.