Who does it seem the New York Knicks like for the 8th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft?
It seems like forever ago when we learned the New York Knicks will select 8th overall in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft. When will the draft finally occur? Well, as of now, the plan is for November 18. But in this crazy year, nothing is written in stone.
As we enter October, I thought it would be interesting to look at three options for whom the Knicks could select with their early first round pick based on what we know now.
As reports leak about potential fits for New York, you never know what is real versus speculation. We try our best to sift through the noise to identify themes that make sense. But until Adam Silver announces a name on draft night – most likely virtually this year – everyone is guessing.
So how do we make sense of it all? We start connecting dots. We know what the Knicks need: they need a point guard, or simply a playmaker; they desperately need shooting; and they are looking to add players who complement the young cornerstone pieces already on the roster in RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
Would the Knicks pass up on a player like Obi Toppin if he were to somehow fall to them at eight? Probably not. In fact Jonathan Macri reports “one league source I spoke to feels that if he’s there, he is “100%” going to be the [Knicks’] choice.” Depending on how the picks in front of them shake out, the Knicks might suddenly find themselves drafting a player who most mocks considered out of their range.
But given what we know now, let’s take a look at three realistic options for the 8th overall pick.
Knicks 8th Overall Pick: Isaac Okoro
When team president Leon Rose brought his buddy Tom Thibodeau to New York, one of the finer details of the hire was that the former president of basketball operations in Minnesota wouldn’t have full say on his assistant coaching staff—a sign that the front office plans on taking a heavy hand in making personnel decisions, not just on the court, but along the sideline.
Does this mean Thibs is locked out from offering his opinion on players? We should hope not. One of the advantages to the fact that Thibodeau and Leon Rose have a prior relationship should be their ability to communicate in executing on a common vision.
According to the New York Post, one area where we might see Thibs’ influence is in the 2020 NBA Draft. Could the Knicks decide to ignore positional need and select Auburn swingman Isaac Okoro to fit the style of their hard-nosed coach?
Okoro might not fall to the Knicks at eight, but if he does, he could be the best player available at that position. When asked about playing for the Knicks, the Auburn star sounded intrigued.
"“I know the Knicks have a great organization, they have a lot of young players right now,” Okoro said about the possibility of playing for the Knicks (via Forbes). “Possibly playing with the Knicks would be a great opportunity for me. I know that I could come into the team and play a role that the coach needs me to play. I know that they have a new coach in Tom Thibodeau and he’s a very defensive-minded coach. I feel like me coming, it would be a great opportunity.”"
While Okoro wouldn’t solve the Knicks’ problems at point guard or shooting, these are two areas they could improve later in the draft or via free agency, especially if they feel like Okoro would be a steal late in the lottery.
Rose and Thibodeau have a lot of work to do to turn the Knicks into contenders again. It might start by drafting a player known for intensity.
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.
Knicks 8th Overall Pick: Tyrese Haliburton
Looking for playmaking and shooting, Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton might be the safe pick for the New York Knicks. After starting his college career off the ball, the 6-foot-5 guard has developed into a pick-and-roll playmaker who could be a nice fit next to RJ Barrett.
Haliburton recently told reporters that he has met with the Warriors, Knicks, and Pistons. It’s very possible he is off the board by the time New York picks. But there doesn’t appear to be any consensus on where players outside of the top 3-4 will be selected.
While meeting with reporters recently, the Iowa State standout talked about whether he is a better fit as a point guard or shooting guard.
"“I think I can run a team right away,” Haliburton said according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “But if you want me to play the 2, and knock down shots, and defend, I think I can do that as well. So whatever’s asked of me, I’ll do it. I think basketball’s transitioning more and more into small ball or positionless basketball, so I think I can really fit anywhere and I think if I move to the 2, and I’m close to the rebound, I’m going to grab it and take it anyway. So it doesn’t really matter for me, either spot.”"
Haliburton played as the pick-and-roll ballhandler in 28 percent of his possessions last season (most of any play type). He was an “average” player in those situations based on Synergy tracking of points per possession. However, his team’s efficiency improved on plays where he passed to the roll man out of the pick-and-roll (think Mitchell Robinson). He was also an “excellent” spot-up shooter to offset the times he didn’t have the ball in his hands.
A lot can change over the next several weeks leading up to the draft. New York might decide to use their 8th pick in a trade, either to move up or to acquire a veteran piece. But based on what we know right now, it seems like Okoro, Vassell, and Haliburton are three very real possibilities for the New York Knicks.