Knicks 2022 NBA Draft: No. 11 pick prospect Bennedict Mathurin
By Nathan Smith
While the New York Knicks search for their point guard of the future, the front office plan seems to be stockpiling young, rangy, athletic wings that also have a great shooting stroke (see: Grimes, Quentin. Reddish, Cam. Barrett, RJ).
Thankfully for fans of Canadian-born Bennedict Mathurin, the Arizona wing fits that description perfectly and is definitely on the Knicks’ radar with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. So much so that plenty of fans have the 19-year-old penciled in as their dream draft day target, but that is if New York decides against trading up to target Jaden Ivey or Shaedon Sharpe.
How does Bennedict Mathurin fit this current New York Knicks squad?
While the athleticism of Mathurin is his standout trait, he does so much beyond that, which makes him a perfect fit for the 2022-23 Knicks. He also fits the timeline for growth moving forward.
Mathurin improved across the board during his two seasons at Arizona, and taking all things into consideration, there are few things he doesn’t do well, and that figures to translate to the NBA level.
Despite turning 20 just days before the draft, Mathurin has maturity way beyond his years, and that figures to play well with Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks, who will likely be led in 2022-23 by fellow Canadian, Barrett.
Sure, there is untapped potential here, as Mathurin could turn out to be one of the top three players in this draft with his insane bounce, elite shooting stroke, and ability to score on all three levels. But there are also some small weaknesses that may hold him back early in his career.
At times, Mathurin can fall asleep on the defensive end and may struggle with more high-energy offensive players at the next level. While rangy, he doesn’t possess the largest wingspan, but thankfully with an improved motor under Thibodeau, we could be looking at a player ready to step into the NBA and compete right away.
What are the chances that Bennedict Mathurin falls to the New York Knicks?
Unfortunately for the Knicks and their fans, they aren’t the only ones that see this maturity, leadership, and immense potential, both on and off the court.
Given the needs of the teams drafting from picks 6-10 in the draft, there’s a high possibility that almost all of them see the player that Mathurin can be. So, New York may have to make some moves if the team wants to add an impact player like this to their young, talented core.
Should the New York Knicks draft Bennedict Mathurin if he is available?
Not only should the Knicks sprint to the podium to hand in their card if Mathurin is still there at No. 11, but they will likely attempt to make moves to trade up in the draft to get him. With the young lineup led by Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, and Barrett, he’d be a fantastic addition.
Mathurin promises to be a high-upside prospect and under the right coaching, he could become a legit 20-point per game scorer in the NBA. While he struggles at times to create his own offense, this Knicks offense (if they do go with the young lineup) could help him find buckets.
This is likely a dream scenario for most around New York, and while Knicks fans should believe in this front office, they shouldn’t hold out hope that the former Arizona Wildcat is available at pick No. 11.
If New York wants him, it’ll have to move up to make that happen. If they believe the price is right, it shouldn’t shock anyone to see the Knicks target Indiana or Portland as trade targets to make this happen.
