3 defensive-minded players Knicks could pick at No. 11 in 2022 NBA Draft

The New York Knicks didn’t move up in the 2022 NBA Draft Lottery, meaning that they’ll be picking No. 11 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. While there’s always a possibility that they could trade the selection, the front office may be intrigued by the talent available in the late lottery.

While the Knicks weren’t awful defensively last season, they did take a large step back, falling from third to 11th in defensive rating. They gave up at least 120 points in 13 games this past year in comparison to just seven games in the 2020-21 season.

Given the offensive potential of players such as RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin, New York may want to add a defensive specialist to its young core.

3 defensive-minded prospects the Knicks could select at No. 11 in NBA draft

3: Jeremy Sochan: Forward, Baylor

As a freshman last season, Jeremy Sochan averaged a modest 9.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 47% from the field. While these numbers aren’t elite, he’ll still be picked in the top half of the draft due to his immense defensive potential.

At 6’9″ with a 7’0″ wingspan, Sochan is extremely versatile on the less glamorous end of the court. He thrived in Baylor’s switch-heavy defense, which is a good sign that he’d fit in New York as head coach Tom Thibodeau usually has his team switching 1-4.

Sochan ranked within the top 20 in the Big 12 conference in both steals and blocks per game, fusing elite athleticism with impressive defensive instincts.

Combining his height with his 230-pound frame makes it nearly impossible for bigger forwards to back him down into the paint, but his exceptional speed allows him to stick with smaller ball carriers.

At just 19-years-old, Sochan still has lots of room to grow, and learning under Thibodeau could potentially turn him into one of the best defenders in the NBA within a few years.

The Knicks might use him as a defensive specialist as a rookie, then slowly integrate him into the rotation as he further develops his offensive arsenal.

2: Mark Williams: Center, Duke

With Mitchell Robinson hitting unrestricted free agency next month, there’s a possibility that he’ll be suiting up for another team in 2022-23. If that happens, the Knicks should be locked in on Mark Williams.

While shot-blocking Memphis center Jalen Duren is also available in this range with his immense potential, Williams’ overall production and size give him the edge in this list.

At 7’0″ with an absurd 7’7″ wingspan, Williams is an intimidating force in the paint with the ability to stifle anyone who attempts to drive towards the rim. His 2.8 blocks per game ranked first in the ACC and 12th in the entire NCAA.

He also averaged 11.2 points and hit 73% of his free throws, displaying potential shooting upside.

It’s also worth noting that Williams thrives under a high-pressure atmosphere, playing a major role in Duke’s excellent March Madness run this past season. He averaged 13.2 points and 3.2 blocks in the tournament and should excel under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

He’s a bit of an older prospect and will be turning 21 next season, but that could work in New York’s favor. His learning curve might not be as steep as a teenager’s and he would be able to contribute in a major way as soon as possible.

1: Tari Eason: Forward, LSU

While Tari Eason is a talented scorer who averaged 16.9 points in just 24.4 minutes per game, his potential fit with New York is his defensive acumen. Specifically, his ability to guard bigs.

Despite being just 6’8″, Eason’s rangy 7’2″ wingspan and eye-popping athleticism allowed him to play most of his minutes as a small-ball center this past season. He averaged 1.1 blocks and 1.9 steals per game, both ranking within the top 10 in the SEC.

While his shot blocking is noteworthy, his high steals per game numbers help indicate how active he is on defense. His energy is relentless, and he was often known for his steal into fastbreak dunk highlights at LSU.

While they may not start together right away, a potential frontcourt of Eason and Toppin would be an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses in transition.

Similar to Williams, Eason being 21-years-old may cause him to drop in the late lottery but a team like the Knicks could pick him up and ease him into the rotation right away.

New York didn’t have any lottery luck this year, but there’ll still be a talented group of prospects available when the team’s on the clock during draft night.

If the Knicks want to strengthen their defense and return to the top 5 unit they once were, adding any of these three prospects would be a step in the right direction.

3 realistic targets Knicks can draft with No. 11 pick

The New York Knicks will have the No. 11 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23 and here are 3 players that they could select.