3 prospects Knicks should avoid if they get lucky in 2022 NBA Draft Lottery
1: Chet Holmgren (PF/C)
Admittedly, this is likely going to be a controversial take amongst Knicks fans. Yes, New York shouldn’t draft Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren if the organization gets a top-4 pick.
The seven-foot big man averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 3.7 blocks in 32 games as a freshman for the Bulldogs. He’s been projected to go No. 1 overall, but if the Knicks are somehow able to have the first pick in the draft, Holmgren shouldn’t be the first name called.
Like Duren, the 20-year-old can protect the rim, but Holmgren is better at doing so, and can finish at the rim with both hands. What makes Holmgren stand out is that he’s a good ballhandler and at Gonzaga, it wasn’t unusual for him to be the one to dribble the ball down the court.
That aspect of his game is similar to back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, but as a future starting center at the professional level, Holmgren doesn’t have the strength to guard big men like Jokic, Joel Embiid, or Giannis Antetokounmpo, which is obviously an issue.
His transition is going to be made more difficult because of that, but at the same time, Holmgren can look to Antetokounmpo’s development in the league as a source of hope.
Holmgren isn’t a necessity for the Knicks and isn’t the move that the front office should make to build around RJ Barrett.
All three of these players are projected lottery picks for a reason and they’ll most likely enjoy success in the NBA, but New York shouldn’t be Sharpe, Duren, or Holmgren’s next destination.
