Analyzing Knicks’ selections in Sports Illustrated’s latest 2023 mock draft
Despite the ups and downs, the New York Knicks find themselves with a record of 25-21 just over halfway through the season. This has them tied for sixth in the Eastern Conference, leaving most of the discussion surrounding the team focused on a potential playoff berth.
However, it’s important to remember that New York also has multiple first-round picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. With RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Jalen Brunson all on deals worth over $100 million, acquiring quality low-cost players through the draft is going to become a high priority moving forward.
In Sports Illustrated’s recent mock draft, the Knicks selected two players who can fill specific roles on this team based on head coach Tom Thibodeau’s current rotation.
Breaking down the Knicks’ picks in Sports Illustrated’s 2023 mock draft
At 19, the Knicks’ first pickup is power forward Noah Clowney from Alabama. One of the younger players in the draft, Clowney has shown a lot of two-way upside even if his numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet.
The six-foot-ten big man can play both frontcourt positions and has shown flashes of elite touch around the rim to go along with excellent shot-blocking instincts. Clowney has shot just over 70% on two-pointers this season, albeit on low volume. He also averages 1.2 blocks in just under 25 minutes per game.
His shooting leaves a lot to be desired, but he’s also hit 16 threes in 17 games so there could be some floor-spacing upside if he’s paired up with the right developmental coaching staff.
The contracts of Isaiah Hartenstein and Jericho Sims are only guaranteed for one more year, so drafting Clowney as a low-cost replacement big for the Knicks to use off the bench in upcoming seasons would be a defensible move.
With the 21st pick, the Knicks are projected to select shooting guard Brice Sensabaugh from Ohio State. The freshman has been steadily rising up draft boards as of late, as he projects to be one of the better shooters in the entire class.
Sensabaugh is averaging 17 points and 5.6 rebounds per game on impressive 50-46-82 shooting splits. At six-foot-six and 235 pounds, he’s able to use his large frame to get into the paint although he often prefers to shoot a pull-up mid-range jumper instead of taking the ball to the rim.
Brice Sensabaugh doing what he does best. 🤷@bricepsensa x @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/q1gv8PA25s
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 6, 2023
The Knicks desperately need more offensive production from the bench outside of Immanuel Quickley, and Sensabaugh would be able to instantly provide some. It’s worth monitoring the rest of his season to see if his elite shooting marks hold up, but he’d be a perfect fit in New York if they do.
