
Who do you think the NY Knicks should have taken in 2018?
5. Dallas Mavericks-Mitchell Robinson (previously taken 36th)
The Knicks might have drafted the original steal of the draft (were it not for another guy we’ll discuss later–wink) in Mitchell Robinson, but he won’t even make it number 8 in this re-draft. This pick has a ton of far-reaching consequences for the Mavericks franchise. Without Luka in tow, do they make the Porzingis trade or do they try to build around this DSJ and Mitch duo for a bit longer? Where do the Knicks trade Porzingis? This pick could just about spawn it’s own “What if?” type article.
6. Orlando Magic-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (previously taken 11th)
People will say he got drafted too low here. I know there are folks out there who would put him at third to Atlanta, and there’s a valid argument for that, but this is where the data lands him. Love this pick for the Magic who have been hurting for a franchise guard seemingly since Tracy McGrady left. There’s another interesting wrinkle here. If he’s not on the Clippers, do the Thunder still pull the trigger on the Paul George trade? Does Kawhi end up on the Lakers and destroy the NBA’s competitive balance?
7. Chicago Bulls-Michael Porter, Jr. (previously taken 14th)
Michael Porter, Jr. dropping in the draft was never about his talent level. It was always about his injury concerns. Given that those have not seemed to stop him from being a strong contributor to a winning team in Denver, Bulls fans should have little to no reservations about this pick from a basketball standpoint. From a personal one, though…um…have fun Chicago!
8. Cleveland Cavaliers-Donte DiVincenzo (previously taken 17th)
In the final pick before the Knicks make their selection, the Cavaliers add a mayo on a BLT kind of pick. It’s not the bacon, or the lettuce, or even the tomato, but you try eating one without it. Every successful franchise has guys like DiVincenzo who just go out and do their job. Interesting note: The combined metrics really don’t like Sexton, who is one of the redraft’s biggest fallers. He won’t hear his name called until pick number 45.