Knicks 8th Overall Pick: Devin Vassell
One day after learning where the Knicks would pick in the draft, a report surfaced that Florida State’s Devin Vassell has some fans at Madison Square Garden.
The 6-foot-6 guard would provide immediate help in the shooting department. This past season, playing in the ACC, he nailed 41.5 percent of his three-pointers, while attempting 3.5 per game. As a spot-up shooter, Synergy data ranks him “very good” after he averaged 1.039 points per possession in those play types.
After having three consecutive lottery picks struggle with their shot early in their NBA careers (Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, and RJ Barrett) for the Knicks, it would be refreshing to add a legit shooter to a roster trying to compete in the modern NBA.
Beyond shooting, Vassell also brings a high-energy motor on both ends of the floor. As The Stepian concludes:
"“It requires no great level of prescience to see Devin Vassell with the potential to immediately contribute in the NBA next season: he is a consummate team defender with an outstanding work ethic, and possesses plug-and-play tools to produce in an at least one major offensive facet.”"
The mocks are all over the place this draft season, but it seems plausible that Vassell will be available at eight, and he is a player who could immediately mix with the young core, while possessing several favorable traits for a Tom Thibdoeau coached team.