NY Knicks Draft Strategy: Consider RJ Barrett in making your pick

Knicks Draft Strategy: Deni Advija and Isaac Okoro

TYRESE HALIBURTON  – It seems people either love him or hate him, but he’s got the sort of all-around game that makes him a good fit. Jumper’s ugly but it goes in.

"SPENCER SAYS: Stationary shooter with some relocation C&S – not a pure movement shooter at all. I’m curious how the form will translate in the NBA because it’s highly unorthodox, but he has deep range and has hit it at a really high clip the last two years. Active on the offensive glass for a G – opportunistic with his follow-ups. Very smart defender off-ball, but needs to improve on-ball footwork. His lack of strength and high center of gravity makes me think teams will target him with basic PnRs to force switches. Can hit every pass and has great vision but if he can’t develop a pull-up jumper, some of that will be negated, especially in drop coverage where the big will dare him to shoot or attack the rim (another thing he doesn’t do often)."

COLE ANTHONY – Seems like an odd fit because of percentages and role at UNC, but when I see him catching-and-shooting, I can’t help but believe in his off-ball potential. I also love that, like RJ, he’s got a pedigree/support system that raises his floor.

"SPENCER SAYS: Good shooter on and off-ball, but he needs to work on his shot selection. Legit movement shooter with deep range. Not a great passer – appears to pre-determine pass/shoot before reading the defense. Does not make many elite reads, nor does he have elite passing traits, but he can make drive and kicks, dropoffs, etc. Defensively, he’s pretty much all flashes. He has to improve his focus and in the PnR at the point of attack, he must improve his footwork."

DEVIN VASSELL– I continue to believe this is high for a prototypical 3-and-D player, but he’s risen fast on mock draft boards and brings those first two needs at an elite level.

"SPENCER SAYS: Good shooter, but needs to up his volume and quicken his release to reach his full potential. Has the ability to attack closeouts for pull-ups, so if the defense closes too hot, he can make them pay. Not a great passer, but he’s not bad either – there could be some untapped potential there  as a tertiary playmaker. Like Haliburton, he’s an elite team defender – from positioning, to tags/digs, rotations, and using his length for deflections or steals, he’s an awesome awesome team defender."