NY Knicks Draft: A scout and a non-believer talk Jaden Springer

NY Knicks: Is Jaden Springer a good fit for New York?

This might be the most interesting NBA Draft in decades. Not just because it’s loaded; because it comes on the heels of a season greatly affected by the pandemic. Offseason programs were interrupted; games were canceled; players’ abilities to focus on their craft was undoubtedly impacted. So right off the bat, I’ve got to give Springer the benefit of the doubt.

His defense, poise, and smart decision-making come through clearly on film. I am in full agreement with Stewart on all those points, and adding someone with those strengths to this young Knicks’ team would certainly be a positive. But where Stewart really started to persuade me is with the discussion of Springer’s ceiling. He is the third-youngest player projected to go in the 1st round and likely hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he can be.  In years past, this wouldn’t have moved me; after all, Frank Ntilikina and Kevin Knox were young with major upside when we drafted them, too, and thus far neither of those picks has worked out.

But this is NOT the same organization that drafted Frank and Kev. With Rose at the helm, and with Johnny Bryant, Kenny Payne, and Co. running development, I have much more confidence in their ability to turn whoever they pick into the best version of themselves. Look at what they did with Immanuel Quickley. Look at the strides Obi Toppin made over the course of the season. Look at what they did with pretty much the entire roster from a shooting perspective. So if Springer’s biggest question mark is his shooting – particularly off-the-dribble – then I have no doubt this Knicks’ staff can turn him into a sniper.

The one thing that still gives me pause, and Stewart alluded to it when talking about Springer’s ability to create space, is this: I don’t see the handle or the elusiveness that I believe the Knicks need. Revisiting the 2020-21 NY Knicks for a minute: they were 18-18 without Derrick Rose in the lineup, 23-11 with him. When Rose was on the court, their ORTg was 116.4. Without him? 110. That’s the difference between being a Top-8 offense and a bottom-8 offense.

Now a big part of Derrick’s value was his ability to hit shots off the dribble.  He shot 57.4% from 10-16 feet, which was best of all rotation players, and 51.5% on longer twos (best of everyone but Toppin, who rarely shot them). Like Stewart said, this is Springer’s swing skill – if he develops it, he could be great; if not, he can still provide value but lacks an element the Knicks desperately need.

But Rose’s handle and burst were arguably just as valuable.  His ability, despite age and injury history, to blow by defenders and get to the paint played a huge role in the Knicks’ offensive leap during the second half of the season, and come playoff time, it was this ability to separate that made him New York’s lone consistent offensive threat.  If Springer can’t separate off the dribble, I’d still prefer a guard with more offensive dynamism, someone who can live in the paint and find open shooters like Sharife Cooper, or someone whose range and shooting off-the-bounce can create avenues to the rim like Tre Mann.

Perhaps there’s a way to get both. Recent big boards from major outlets suggest Springer could be available late in the first round. ESPN has him at 27. CBS has him at 22. If you told me Leon could come out of this draft with one of Cooper/Mann and Springer, I’d sign up for that in a heartbeat.  Immanuel Quickley is only going to get better. Luca Vildoza shows tantalizing upside as a shooter and passer. Add Springer and one of those dynamic guards, and the Knicks’ backcourt is set in terms of versatile, young talent. (And that’s not even getting into what can be done in free agency.)

So have I been swayed? Am I a believer?

I believe that if the NY Knicks can also come away with someone more creative offensively, adding Springer’s strength, defense, decision-making, and positional versatility could be a steal as we look to take another step forward next year.

Big thanks to Stewart Zahn for taking the time out to discuss Jaden Springer. If you want to learn more about 2021 NBA Draft Prospects, you can check out the great work of Stewart and others at rollcallsportsnet.com.