3 prospects Knicks should avoid if they get lucky in 2022 NBA Draft Lottery

2: Jalen Duren (C)

Memphis center Jalen Duren could be the Knicks’ replacement for Mitchell Robinson depending on if he signs an extension or not, but New York already has a player on its roster who could compete to fill that role, Jericho Sims.

Duren’s projected to be a lottery pick after averaging 12 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.1 blocks in 29 games as a freshman. He shot 59.7% from the field.

Depending on what teams fill out the No. 1-4 picks in the draft, Duren could end up going off the board early, but it shouldn’t be to the Knicks.

At six-foot-eleven with a seven-foot-five wing span, the 18-year-old is a great rim protector, like Robinson, but Duren needs to expand his shooting abilities outside of the low post. He also needs to become a better defender off the ball if he wants to be successful at the next level.

As great as he could up being for a team that’s in dire need of a big man, Duren doesn’t need to be on New York’s radar.

Robinson could have re-signed with the Knicks by the time that the draft takes place on Jun. 23, and even if that doesn’t end up being the case, New York should plan to use Sims, as well as sign a free agent center as a replacement for Robinson, not draft one with its first pick.