For the first time since the 2016 draft, the Knicks do not have a top-10 pick.
This year they hold the 19th and 21st selections in the late first round as well as the 32nd pick at the start of round 2.
Despite the selection of Immanuel Quickley in last year’s draft, the Knicks will likely be looking for a guard due to the roster looking thin at the guard spot long-term.
Elfrid Payton is by no means the solution at point guard and Derrick Rose, while he is more than capable of being the starting point guard, he is not the starting point guard of the future for the Knicks.
While Alec Burks also had a good season and is likely to be re-signed, he is not a long-term option either.
Drafting someone who can develop and learn from veterans like Rose and can later step in and play alongside Quickley seems like the best route for the Knicks to go with at least one of their picks.
In various mock drafts, I have seen the NY Knicks drafting guards such as Tre Mann, Sharife Cooper, Jared Butler, and Chris Duarte, all of which look like great options with loads of potential.
One name I haven’t seen next to any of the Knicks’ picks is Arizona State shooting-guard Josh Christopher.
NY Knicks: Josh Christopher is a terrific talent
Christopher came into his freshman year at ASU as one of the nation’s highest recruits and a potential lottery selection.
After a turbulent season under Bobby Hurley where Christopher played just 15 games and finished averaging 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 43/30/80 shooting splits, his stock slightly dropped, and he’s now expected to go in the late first round.
At the start of next season, he will only be 19-years-old and he already has elite athleticism, the ability to create his own shot and he’s a hard-working, hard-nosed defender.
I think the Knicks should look at Christopher, either slightly earlier than expected at the 21st pick or if he manages to fall into the second round at the 32nd pick.