NY Knicks Draft: Kessler Edwards is slam dunk pick at 32

At this point in the predraft process, most of the NY Knicks’ main targets in the 2021 NBA Draft have been detailed and discussed. The speculation surrounding what New York will do with their first-round picks has been running wild in recent weeks.

While the allure of trading up to nab a top-ranked prospect is enticing, having multiple picks in such a loaded class is just as exciting. Not just picks 19 and 21 – but pick 32 could land the NY Knicks a fantastic, ready-to-go prospect.

NY Knicks: Kessler Edwards is an ideal NBA Draft target at pick 32

Things we love: Size and shooting.

“Is this prospect tall?!” “Can they shoot?!” seem to be the biggest clamorings from most NBA fans when discussing who they want their favorite team to draft.

Kessler Edwards checks both of those boxes. A 6’8, 205 lbs wing with a 6’11 wingspan, Edwards has terrific size on the perimeter. He’s someone who would play either forward spot – guarding small forwards or stretching the floor at the 4, it’s easy to see a fit on the wing in New York.

As a shooter, Edwards’ splits were 49.1% from the field, 37.8% from 3, 87.6% from the free-throw line. Edwards’ mobility for his size and shot-IQ make him a really attractive piece to add and thrust into an immediate 2021-22 role player in New York

The NY Knicks need those secondary shooters. While Edwards’ ceiling may not be as high as some of the other potential picks at 32, players like BJ Boston, Miles McBride, or Greg Brown – his rock-solid floor make him an excellent option.

It’s hard to find metrics where Kessler Edwards didn’t show up as a positive. New York has two other picks where they can maybe take a chance on more of a boom-bust, high-ceiling type of prospect.

We don’t know what is going to happen with some of the NY Knicks free agents. Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock may not be essential for Knicks’ success for years to come, but their roles will have to be replaced. The soon-to-be 21-year-old Edwards, who averaged over 17 points per game this past season at Pepperdine, could fill some of those 3&D responsibilities that Bullock had.

Expectations won’t be high for whoever New York takes at 32, so getting a prospect with a ton of defensive upside, who can be deployed as a new spot-up shooter for Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, would be fantastic value.