As 2020 nears, who are the New York Knicks projected to select in the next NBA draft?
The 2020 NBA Draft is far away for the New York Knicks, but 2019 is nearly over. Once the new year arrives, basketball usually comes into full swing, including the collegiate game. That spotlights the nation’s best teams and future draft prospects, whether they play for a title contender or not.
Mock drafts have already begun, too, projecting the next class of players to the NBA. Given the Knicks’ subpar record, they have a high position in each of the mocks published before 2020. Who is projected to them?
CBS Sports: Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Perhaps the top active player in college basketball, Anthony Edwards has flashed his potential at times for Georgia, averaging 19.7 points, 5 assists, 3.1 assists and a gaudy 1.9 steals per game. 42.1 percent shooting and 32.5 percent on 3-pointers leave much to be desired, however.
Still, with the unique way the top of this class is shaking up, Edwards stands to be a top pick, potentially landing first overall. He would provide yet another option at point guard, with an eye on making him the long-term player at this position. It’s otherwise been a struggle to find the main ball handler that this organization is confident in.
NBADraft.net: LaMelo Ball, NBL
Yahoo Sports: LaMelo Ball, NBL
LaMelo Ball became one of the most recognizable names to skip college basketball and play professionally. Through 12 games for Australia’s Illawarra, the youngest of the Ball Brothers averages 17 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Like Edwards, the paltry shooting percentages look problematic, including just 37.5 from the field and 25 percent on 3-pointers; that’s on 6.7 attempts, an obvious detriment to his overall mark.
If Ball’s shot selection improves, or he finds a better stroke from behind the arc, he has the all-around potential to impact an NBA game. Everything else will land him in the top five, perhaps with the Knicks if they claim a high enough selection.
Bleacher Report: Cole Anthony, UNC
Draft Site: Cole Anthony, UNC
Another player with shooting woes, Cole Anthony averages just 36.8 percent from the field. He makes 35.5 percent of 3-pointers, but that’s at a shorter distance than the NBA game.
There is potential for something special from Anthony, though, as yet another guard in this class. He has a scoring knack at 19.1 points, fitting the mold of the score-first point guards in the modern-day NBA. The 3.4 assists to 3.8 turnovers don’t indicate a dynamic ball-handling prowess, but that can improve over time.
Anthony will be just one of a few point guards for the New York Knicks to consider in the draft, especially if they are not sold on Frank Ntilikina or Elfrid Payton. Along with Ball and Edwards, other potential options will include James Wiseman, Obi Toppin, Jaden McDaniels, and Deni Avdija.