New York Knicks Select De’Aaron Fox In Recent Mock Draft
The New York Knicks select Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox in Chad Ford’s recent mock draft.
The New York Knicks are in a difficult spot. The front office cannot decide if they want to make a playoff push or begin the rebuild. The moves made during the offseason to help push towards the season have not panned out as hoped.
The Knicks are currently 22-31 on the outside looking in on the Eastern Conference playoffs. New York is currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, only 2.5 games behind eighth place. You would think that would make the decision easy; make a playoff push with only 2.5 games to make up.
But, the decision is not that easy. While the Knicks are 2.5 games out of a position in the postseason, they are just as close to being in the bottom five of the NBA. Essentially, the Knicks season is hanging in the balance in the coming weeks. Either they can rise up and make a playoff push, or crumble and continue tumbling down the standings.
Fans of the Knicks obviously want to see the team win. But, they are in a position they haven’t often been in recent years. The Knicks actually own their first round pick this season. Since 2010 the Knicks have made only one selection in the lottery; 2015 when they landed Kristaps Porzingis.
More from New York Knicks
- New York Knicks Fall to Eighth After NBA Draft Lottery
- New York Knicks: Players to Draft in Worst-Case Lottery Scenario
- New York Knicks: Three Players Who Should Thrive Under Tom Thibodeau
- Is Devin Booker to the New York Knicks Realistic?
- New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau Officially Hired as Head Coach
Since 2010 the Knicks have made only one selection in the lottery; 2015 when they landed Kristaps Porzingis.
For a team that has missed the postseason for three consecutive seasons that is hard to believe. But, that is what happens when past regimes make poor decisions with draft picks in the future. The Knicks future would look much brighter with Gordon Hayward, Dario Saric, or Jamal Murray, the players selected with Knicks picks, had New York actually selected them.
Barring a trade prior to the February 23rd NBA Trade deadline involving their 2017 pick, the Knicks will be making their own selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. While losing hurts, this is the year it won’t nearly hurt as badly.
The 2017 NBA Draft class has the potential to be loaded, especially at point guard. Point guard has been a problem for the Knicks for a long time, but the 2017 NBA Draft could give them a chance to change that.
If things fall in place as Chad Ford‘s most recent mock draft, the Knicks and their fans will be very happy. In his most recent mock the Knicks do not make the playoffs, but they land a quality prospect in Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox.
Here is what Ford has to say in regards to Fox going 11th overall to the Knicks.
"The depth of the draft remains ridiculous. Fox is having a terrific season for the Wildcats, he might be the fastest player in the draft and he can’t crack the top 10.The good news for Fox is that I think he’d be a great fit in New York. Both Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings are free agents this summer. At some point the Knicks are going to have to transition from Carmelo Anthony’s team to Kristaps Porzingis’s team. Landing Fox would be a great way to start that transition."
If the Knicks miss the playoffs, landing a player such as Fox would ease the pain. As Ford points out, the depth of this draft class at point guard is incredible. Fox would be the fifth point guard selected, and second Kentucky product; Ford mocks fellow Wildcat Malik Monk to go to the Philadelphia 76ers fourth overall.
Fox would bring a lot to the table for the Knicks to like. He fits the up-tempo mold that Jeff Hornacek wants to run. He is an excellent playmaker on a loaded Kentucky squad and his lightning speed helps him in getting to the rim.
But Fox has a lot of work to do with his jump shot. He is a respectable 72 percent from the foul line, but a hideous 16.7 percent from the three-point line; he is 7-of-42 on the season. It will be something he needs to improve upon to become an upper tier player in the NBA.
Next: New York Knicks: 5 Likeliest Players To Be Gone By Trade Deadline
While Fox’s game isn’t perfect, he would be an excellent addition to the roster. They need to begin building pieces around Porzingis and Fox would fit the bill. Fox would be a solid pick at No.11, but with how the Knicks have played recently they could find themselves closer to the top of the draft. If that occurs they will have a chance to select higher rated prospects Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, Dennis Smith, or Frank Ntilikina.