New York Knicks Draft Strategy: Target Upperclassmen
Who should the New York Knicks target in the 2nd round?
Quentin Grimes (JR, 5/8/2000) – A former 5-star Kansas recruit, the Houston junior has reinvented himself as a prototypical 3-and-D player. He’s a big, strong guard who can shoot it every which way and lock up on the other end. Whoever drafts him will get a guy ready to play from Day 1.
Charles Bassey (JR, 10/28/2000) – The Knicks do have other needs beyond shooting. Like center depth. And I don’t know about you, but I’d love someone with more modern offensive potential…or at least the ability to catch the ball. Enter Bassey, out of Mitchell Robinson’s cup-of-coffee alma mater – 6’11, 7’3 wingspan, fluid athlete in the open floor, rebounding machine…he’s got the natural gifts of a classic defensive-minded, rim-running big, but 76% from the free throw line and flashes of a jumper suggest the possibility for more.
Sam Hauser (SR, 12/8/1997) – Okay, back to shooting: ESPN has Hauser ranked #72 on their Big Board, which means he could be signed as an undrafted FA before summer league. But if you value what he brings, why not use that 58th pick instead of stashing it? Beyond the elite shooting, Hauser is a smart cutter, a capable playmaker (despite low assist numbers), and has that Virginia defensive pedigree.
Isaiah Livers (SR, 7/28/1998) – Another 90s guy with four years experience, Livers’ numbers are that of a shooter (43.1% from 3, almost 3/4 of his FGA were jumpers), but if you watched Michigan at all last year, you know he meant much more than that to the Wolverines. His defense, cutting, and willingness to do whatever his team needs makes him a steal if he goes where projected (50 on Tankathon, UDA on ESPN).
*These are just some of the many solid upperclassmen that’ll be available in the second round. Others that may deserve consideration post-combine include: Alabama’s Herb Jones, Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp, Michigan State’s Aaron Henry, Michigan’s Chaundee Brown, Colorado’s McKinley Wright IV, Pepperdine’s Kessler Edwards, and Baylor legend Matthew Mayer. The New York Knicks will have options galore at both 32 and 58.