Knicks Rumors: Eyes on three players in 2017 NBA Draft
New York Knicks Rumors: The team is reportedly targeting De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, and Frank Ntilikana with their first round pick.
New York Knicks rumors have been persistent this offseason. Despite not making the postseason, the Knicks have found a way to stay relevant and be in the headlines. The most recent rumors involved power forward Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis made some noise when he decided to skip his exit meeting with Phil Jackson and Steve Mills. He cited the dysfunction within the organization and said that he would be taking a long vacation in Latvia. Other teams even called to talk trade about Porzingis after he skipped his exit meeting.
Porzingis is unlikely to be traded, but the Knicks will be reshaping their roster this offseason. The first chance they will have to do that is the 2017 NBA Draft. The Knicks actually own their first round pick this year. It will be the first real chance the Knicks have to add a long-term building block next to Porzingis.
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The NBA Combine is this week in Chicago. The Knicks management will have a chance to watch some prospects and interview them to see who they want to select. It is an important process. In addition to the first round pick, the Knicks also have two second round picks.
The first round pick is what will garner all of the attention. The Knicks have a chance to reshape their future alongside Porzingis. There are a ton of players that the Knicks would love to add with their first round pick.
Like every NBA team, the Knicks would love to land a top pick for the chance to select Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, or Josh Jackson. Right now, the Knicks are likely to pick seventh. They will know for sure next week after the NBA Draft Lottery. The Knicks will not be picking any lower than 10th, which is the worst case scenario.
Based on the projections, the Knicks are likely to miss out on Fultz, Ball, and Jackson. But, they reportedly have their eye on other players. According to ESPN New York’s Ian Begley, members of the organization have become big fans of three prospects; Kentucky guards De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, and French point guard Frank Ntilikana.
It should be no surprise that the Knicks are looking at guards in the draft. Last season their backcourt situation was a disaster to put it nicely. Derrick Rose did not pan out as the starting point guard. Brandon Jennings was frustrated at the lack of success and was released.
Fox’s stock has been skyrocketing. He dominated Ball in their NCAA tournament matchup and finished the season on fire. Monk scores as effortlessly as anyone in this year’s class. His size will hold him back some, but he can score the ball. Ntilikana is somewhat of an unknown but has a lot of tools to become a top-flight point guard.
The Knicks would be in good shape landing Fox or Ntilikana, who are truer point guards than Monk. Monk wouldn’t be a bad pick, but wouldn’t be a great fit for the Knicks. Unless he develops his point guard skills, Monk has the look of a volume scoring sixth man.
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This is a very important draft for the Knicks. With the rumors circulating around Porzingis, they need to begin improving the roster around him. Porzingis has stated he loves New York, but the most important thing to him is winning. If the Knicks do not start doing some winning with him, he could leave as a free agent as early as 2020.