NY Knicks 2021-22 Lineup idea #1 – Building through the draft
As a reference, I’ll just be using a recent Sports Illustrated mock draft as a guideline for where I believe certain players are projected to be going, as seen here.
The Knicks currently have 4 draft picks this year; two in the first round, and another two in the second.
Most teams in this situation would try to find a way to consolidate these picks to move up or to use them in a trade.
As I discussed in a recent podcast of mine, seeing how Coach Thibs doesn’t like using rookies as it is, the likelihood of Knicks actually drafting more than 2 players themselves this year becomes even slimmer.
I personally think they draft maybe just 1 player, potentially packaging both of their 2nd round picks together to move up into the late 20’s.
Here’s hoping Jared Butler from Baylor lasts until later on. Before the season he was viewed as more of a middling 2nd round pick but after how Baylor performed during March Madness, he may be off the board before the 20th pick.
Since we’re on the topic of March Madness, the player I think the Knicks target via trade-up is Jalen Suggs.
I’ve written about Suggs recently and think the Knicks should back up the Brinks truck if they could find a way to get him.
Here’s the trade:
Yes, it’s a lot. But right now, the Knicks are projected to be drafting 15th, the Mavs pick would currently be the 21st pick and Obi doesn’t really have a future on this team if they plan on re-signing Julius Randle to a max contract in the near future.
If the Knicks are absolutely sold on Suggs being the point guard they’ve dreamt about for decades, I say do it.
As they say, the price is never too steep if you can get your “guy”.
I figure the Pistons already spent a high lottery pick last season on a point guard, why not stockpile young talent in a draft that has a bunch of it from top to bottom.
Even if Jalen Suggs is a generational talent, he won’t succeed anyway if they surround him with just Jerami Grant and a bunch of junk.
Potential lineup: Jalen Suggs, Reggie Bullock, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson