Daily Knicks
Fansided

Ranking the Knicks’ needs in the 2022 NBA Draft

By Nathan Smith

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 14: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers is seen during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Mackey Arena on January 14, 2022 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 14: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers is seen during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Mackey Arena on January 14, 2022 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
New York Knicks, Obi Toppin
Obi Toppin, New York Knicks. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. The Knicks need to answer some power forward questions, but it won’t be in the draft

In the 2020 NBA Draft, the Knicks selected young New York kid Obi Toppin to seemingly replace Julius Randle, who went on to have a MIP/All-NBA season, but after struggling to back that up in 2021-22, there are plenty of questions about what New York should do at power forward.

Should they keep both and try small-ball lineups, which Tom Thibodeau has been stubborn to embrace? Should they trade Toppin instead of having him waste away on the bench behind Randle? Should they do the overwhelmingly popular move and trade Randle?

Those are all questions the front office needs to answer, and they need to do it soon so that they can begin to build the roster for the 2022-23 campaign.

Keegan Murray is a standout power forward, and while there are other names that could make an impact at the next level, it won’t be a spot the Knicks look to address, even if they acquire multiple first-round picks, as their priority should be surrounding Randle/Toppin and the rest of the young lineup with talented athletes.

It’s been a while since New York had two genuine talents battling for one spot, but simply put, it’s highly unlikely that the Knicks can keep them both on the roster for 2022-23, especially given Thibs’ stubborn approach to lineups, and this means that we won’t be looking at another power forward being drafted in 2022.

Home/Knicks Draft