New York Knicks Select Jayson Tatum In Chad Ford Mock Draft
The New York Knicks select Duke forward Jayson Tatum with the sixth overall pick in Chad Ford’s most recent NBA Mock Draft.
The New York Knicks are on the fast track to a top pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Knicks came into the season hoping to land a playoff spot, but things did not go according to plan.
The Knicks currently have a 30-48 record as they were officially eliminated from the postseason last week. They almost guaranteed a top-10 pick in the draft but could improve their standing in the NBA Draft Lottery with a few more losses to finish out the season.
Right now, the Knicks have the sixth-worst record in the NBA. While they may miss out on top point guard prospects such as Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball with their pick, they will have an excellent chance of landing a difference maker on the court.
While a point guard will probably be at the top of the Knicks checklist, there are also great prospects on the wing. The Knicks need to start finding talent to build around Kristaps Porzingis, but also start planning for life after Carmelo Anthony.
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The backcourt is the most pressing need, but finding a long-term replacement for Anthony is also important. In the most recent NBA Mock Draft from ESPN’s Chad Ford, the Knicks do just that.
With the sixth pick in the mock draft, the Knicks select Duke forward Jayson Tatum. Here is what Ford had to say about the selection.
"The Knicks will take a close look at Smith and Fox, if available. But they might also need a Carmelo Anthony replacement plan, and that’s what Jayson Tatum looks like.Melo seems checked out of the Knicks and might agree to waive his no-trade clause this summer. If he does, the Knicks could get a small forward here that some scouts believe is the best prospect in the draft."
The backcourt has been a problem for the Knicks for a long time now. They need to find a long-term answer there to pair with Porzingis. But, with Tatum still on the board, the Knicks opt to instead find Anthony’s successor.
Tatum is as good a prospect as anyone in this draft. He is arguably the most NBA-ready player in this class and should be a contributor right from the start. At 6-feet-8 inches and 204 pounds, Tatum has an NBA-ready body with size any team would like to have at small forward.
Tatum could score with ease at Duke in a multitude of ways. He could abuse power forwards with his athleticism and bully around smaller players on the perimeter. He excels in the midrange and in transition. Tatum has the size and athleticism to be a good defender in the NBA as well.
The one knock against him is his jump shot. He can knock down three-pointers but needs to do it more consistently. He was hesitant at times despite his abilities to take over a game.
Tatum is also a bit of a ball hog according to scouting reports, but that could be as much to do with Duke’s offense than Tatum himself. Duke played basically all season without a true point guard, so players such as Tatum, Grayson Allen, and Luke Kennard had to create shots for themselves which meant some isolation basketball.
Despite those shortcomings, Tatum would be an excellent addition to the Knicks. He could help their defense and improve the team’s overall athleticism on the perimeter. Finding a point guard is a need for the Knicks, but the roster needs an upgrade virtually everywhere other than power forward and center.
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It will be difficult for the Knicks to pass up a point guard, especially if Dennis Smith or De’Aaron Fox are available. But, they wouldn’t be making a mistake if they chose Tatum over each player.