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New York Knicks 2017 Re-Draft: NYC lands a cornerstone Big Man

By Allen Settle

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action against RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Jazz defeated the Knicks 112-104. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action against RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Jazz defeated the Knicks 112-104. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, New York Knicks. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. Jayson Tatum. #2. player. 20. Scouting Report. Forward.

New York Knicks 2017 Re-Draft: Picks 2-3

That being said, Jason Tatum does not fall far on our list. He also lands in a great situation with the Lakers. For the sake of argument, let’s say superstar LeBron James still signs with LA. Let’s also say that the Lakers were able to pull off the blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis without including Tatum. As memory serves, Kyle Kuzma was widely speculated to be included in the trade instead of Lonzo Ball. Let’s suspend reasoning and assume that was the case.

The new-look Lakers squad would boast a big three that could match the current Nets core of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. A young building block like Tatum at the helm, Los Angeles would be poised for a season of success both now and into the future.

This is an easy call!

#3. Scouting Report. Center. Bam Adebayo. player. 18. Pick Analysis.

This next pick rounds out a clear tier of elite talent from the 2017 draft. While 2019 All-Star Bam Adebayo falls a hair behind the aforementioned stars, he has established himself as an important building block who room to develop further.

Adebayo has become one of the league’s best all-around talents whose game perfectly meshes with the modern NBA. You would be hard-pressed to find a player who could match the Kentucky star’s contributions of 18.7 points, 9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1 block per game averages last season. He has the size and muscle to thrive in the paint while processing the shooting and play-making ability to make him a threat at all levels.

Adebayo is also already one of the best defenders in the league. The two-time All-Defensive selection could make a serious argument for a multi-time snub for Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Heat center can protect the paint while switching onto shifty star guards that place him in the same category as transcendent talents like Giannis Antetokounmpo.

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