Knicks Draft: A scout and non-believer talk Aleksej Pokusevski

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Potential New York Knicks target Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards warms up prior to playing against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on February 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Knicks Draft: Aleksej Pokusevski player comps

Let’s close with a Bruno Caboclo-inspired math question: “Aleksej Pokusevski is X years away from being two years away.” Solve for X.

SPENCER: Bold statement, but ZERO years. Maybe it takes him half a season to adjust to the NBA line, and it’ll take some time getting used to the physicality/strength, but I think he can play Year 1.

In lieu of traditional comps, let’s go this route: I know you touched on it a little bit above, but give us Pokusevski’s best possible outcome, your expected outcome, and his worst outcome.

SPENCER: Full disclosure – I hate player comps, and I really don’t have one for Poku, but…

BEST – Better defensive and better passing Davis Bertāns. Maybe not the full-on PURE movement shooter, but a movement-shooting 4 with + passing skills is definitely in play.

EXPECTED – A lesser version of above. I’m guessing the movement shooting would be the limiter, but I still expect the defense and passing to be better.

WORST – Spot-up shooting big who can pass on closeouts, but not much movement aside from relocations and other basic stuff. In sum, I really don’t think he’s going to fail outright. I think even at his lowest outcome, there is a place for him (assuming natural progression with strength, health, having a work-ethic, etc).

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