Ranking Knicks’ 2022 NBA Draft Big Board options for No. 11 pick

Jul 29, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Keon Johnson (Tennessee) walks off the stage after being selected as the number twenty-one overall pick by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Keon Johnson (Tennessee) walks off the stage after being selected as the number twenty-one overall pick by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks, Iowa Hawkeyes, Keegan Murray
Keegan Murray, Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

8. Keegan Murray – Iowa

Keegan Murray may not be a name that often gets linked to New York at No. 11 for two reasons: he is predicted to be a power forward at the next level despite having the size of a small ball center or a big wing, and he will likely be gone at No. 11. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a player that Knicks and Knicks fans should take their eyes off of.

Murray can score on all three levels, and when he fills out his frame, he should be a very versatile player at the next level, even if he would likely start his New York days off the bench behind Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett if he were to fall to No. 11.

That fall isn’t likely, but given how talented this draft is from 1-15, anything can happen, and if Murray falls past pick No. 7, he could be there at No. 11 for the Knicks. At that point, the front office would be licking their lips at the thought of Toppin and Murray in the frontcourt together catching lobs.

He isn’t the ideal choice for New York given the positions that need to be filled out, but free agency and trades are also available to make this move work. While it seems like an odd one on the surface, it’s an option that would help the Knicks going forward.