The Athletic’s recent 2022 mock draft has Knicks picking SEC Freshman of the Year

The New York Knicks locked in 11th-best lottery odds when the Pelicans advanced from the play-in tournament to the playoffs. As it stands, the Knicks have a 2% chance to land the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery on May 17.

However, NBA staff from The Athletic did one Tankathon simulation to discover what a potential top-five draft order would be. Surprisingly, New York secured the No. 1 spot. That has to be a good omen, right?

Fred Katz covers the Knicks for The Athletic and the player that he chose for New York to take at No. 1 might come as a surprise.

The two names that have been floated around the most to go first are Duke’s Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren. Katz decided to pass on both of those names and instead opt for Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr.

The Athletic has New York Knicks taking Auburn’s Jabari Smith Jr. with No. 1 pick.

Smith is a six-foot-ten forward who wrapped up his freshman year with the Tigers in March. He averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block in 34 games. Smith shot 42.9% from the field and 42% from the 3-point line.

The Fayetteville, Ga. native was named the SEC Freshman of the Year after he led Auburn to its first-ever No. 1 ranking and its seventh regular-season conference championship.

In the NCAA tournament, the Tigers were eliminated by the Miami Hurricanes, 79-61, in the second round. Smith finished with 10 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. In Auburn’s first round win, the freshman posted 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Smith was one of the best players in the country this past year, so if he were to go No. 1 overall, it shouldn’t be too shocking. But why does Katz believe that the forward’s worthy of going to the Knicks with the first pick? Katz wrote (subscription required):

"“A 6-foot-10 athlete with Smith’s foot speed has a massive advantage guarding in the modern game. He’d be a seamless fit next to 21-year-old up-and-comer RJ Barrett, a driver who could use more shooting lining the perimeter. The fit with Julius Randle, the Knicks’ highest-paid player today, was less of a priority for me. If the Knicks are lucky enough to land the No. 1 pick, they have to select the player they believe will become the best down the line. Smith could be that guy.”"

Katz is right, New York could use more shooters around the perimeter. That’s why the Knicks signed Evan Fournier last offseason, and while he set the single-season record for made 3-pointers, his inconsistency left more to be desired.

Oh, and Smith can play defense too. That in itself is enough to raise Tom Thibodeau’s eyebrows.

New York could use another young player with a high ceiling who can get it done on both ends of the floor. And given that the Knicks could look to move some of the players on their current roster this summer, Smith would fit right in.

Don’t forget that this is all hypothetical, though. The likelihood of New York getting the No. 1 pick is very, very low, but as The Athletic’s mock draft showed, it’s not impossible. And if Smith is on the board when the Knicks make their pick, the Southerner could be making the move to The Big Apple.

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