NBA Mock Draft: Knicks select All-BIG EAST sharpshooter in first round

As the Dallas Mavericks continue to struggle, the New York Knicks reap the benefits. Dallas sent a 2023 top-10 protected first-round pick to New York as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade a few years ago that could end up being a lottery pick in the No. 11-14 range.

That means there’s a chance that the Knicks could earn a playoff berth if they remain in the top six of the Eastern Conference (or advance past the play-in) and could still have a lottery pick in June. That pick could turn into a player like UConn’s Jordan Hawkins, who was recently named to the All-BIG EAST First Team.

In The Ringer’s latest NBA mock draft, the Knicks select Hawkins with the No. 19 overall pick. The 19-year-old shooting guard is heralded as the best shooter in the 2023 draft class.

Should Knicks select UConn shooting guard Jordan Hawkins in 2023 NBA Draft?

Jordan Hawkins is a player that could creep up the draft board depending on what he and UConn are able to accomplish in the tournament.

In his sophomore season with the Huskies, he’s averaging 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 29.8 minutes while shooting 40.5% from the field and 36.8% from three. Hawkins is a completely different player than he was in his freshman season, where he averaged only 5.8 points and shot 35.3% from the floor and 33.3% from deep in 14.7 minutes.

With Evan Fournier being out of the rotation and New York likely moving on from him during the offseason, Hawkins would be a good player to bring in. Standing at six-foot-five with a 195-pound frame, he has a solid build. Not only that, but he can hit shots from anywhere on the court. He isn’t a playmaker, though. Nor is he a threat on the defensive end, which is something that he could learn under Tom Thibodeau.

Sports Illustrated wrote, “Should there be a late lottery team in desperate need of an injection of a solid floor and shooting, Hawkins could very well be the pick.” Considering that the Knicks’ only chances of making it in the lottery are if the pick from the Mavericks is a late lottery selection, Hawkins could be calling NYC home.

To catch Jordan Hawkins and the Huskies in action, tune in to their game against Rick Pitino and Iona on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Round of 64. The game will be televised on CBS.

The 7 Worst free agent signings in New York Knicks history

Although the New York Knicks have been playing well this season, their front office hasn't always hit the target with their choices.