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Knicks Mock Draft: Perfect Tom Thibodeau player heads to NY in round 1

By Jordanna Clark

Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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As the Mavericks continue to fall down the standings, the New York Knicks will continue to reap the benefits. New York owns Dallas’ 2023 first-round pick, although it’s top-10 protected. The Knicks could select in the lottery if the pick winds up falling in the No. 11-14 range.

New York could use that pick to select a player like Kentucky’s Cason Wallace, who was the Knicks’ recent selection in The Ringer’s latest mock draft. While Tom Thibodeau is currently more focused on his team finishing the regular season strong and making some noise in the playoffs, his attention will shift to the draft during the offseason. The defensive-minded coach would love a player like Wallace.

In his freshman season as a Wildcat, the 19-year-old combo guard averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in an average of 32.1 minutes. He shot 44.6% from the field and 34.6% from three.

In his final game at Kentucky, Wallace finished with 21 points (9-of-11), seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a 75-69 loss to Kansas State on Sunday, Mar. 19.

Kentucky’s Cason Wallace would be an excellent pick for the Knicks in 2023 NBA Draft

At six-foot-four with a 193-pound frame and a seven-foot-two wingspan, the top-20 recruit out of high school is an elite defender who’s also known as a shooting threat. His quickness on the defensive end has led to him being labeled as one of the best freshman defenders in the country. He’s a decent playmaker and passer, too.

One of Wallace’s weaknesses is his three-point shot. He shot a decent 34.6% as a freshman, but that’s something that he can improve upon at the next level. There isn’t a need for fans to be worried about that. He has everything that you could want in a young player. From his physicality to the way that he takes pride in his defense, whichever team drafts him will be getting their money’s worth.

Cason Wallace is the type of gritty player that will thrive in the NBA. If he’s still on the board when the Knicks make their selection, bringing him to New York should be a no-brainer. His game will translate beautifully at the next level.

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