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New York Knicks Select OG Anunoby In Chad Ford Mock Draft

By Kenneth Teape

Dec 17, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) shoots the ball while Butler Bulldogs forward Andrew Chrabascz (45) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) shoots the ball while Butler Bulldogs forward Andrew Chrabascz (45) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the 12th pick in his 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Chad Ford has the New York Knicks selecting small forward OG Anunoby out of Indiana.

The New York Knicks are currently stuck in a rut. They are riding a six-game losing streak which has dropped their record to 16-19. That is below some of the high aspirations the Knicks coming into the season with the additions that they made during the offseason.

An offseason trade for Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday along with the signings of Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Jennings fast forwarded the Knicks rebuild process. Along with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzings, the Knicks were adding some veteran talent to help push the process.

There is still plenty of time this season for the Knicks to turn things around, but the question still remains; who will be around when Porzingis is ready to take over the team as his own?

That is what the Knicks are hoping eventually happens. Porzingis, whom they selected in 2015 with the No.4 overall pick, as the looks of a franchise cornerstone. Scouts and executives alike are very high on Porzingis’ skill, and rightfully so. He has even garnered praise from peers such as Kevin Durant, who called him a unicorn last season.

But, with how the roster is currently constructed, there aren’t many people on his career arc. 27 years old was the youngest player the Knicks signed this year in free agency, which is how old Jennings and Mindaugus Kizminskas are. Willy Hernangomez is only 22 years old and has experience playing alongside Porzingis in Europe, so he can be used as a building block.

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Many of the key contributors this season are well into their NBA careers and on the wrong side of their primes. Lee and Noah are both 31; Anthony is 32. Rose and Lance Thomas are 28. For that reason, the Knicks have to start adding some talent around Porzingis that can build alongside him.

That is why it is so important that the Knicks have their draft picks in the coming seasons. If they fail to make the postseason, they will at least have a lottery pick to add some much-needed young talent to the roster.

According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, that is exactly where the Knicks will be for the 2017 NBA Draft. The BPI has projects the Knicks to land the 12th pick in the NBA Draft this season. While that will disappoint many people because it means the Knicks missed the postseason, they will at least have the chance to add an intriguing young prospect.

In his second mock draft of the season, and first of 2017, Chad Ford has the Knicks doing exactly that. With the 12th overall pick in his mock Ford has the Knicks selecting Indiana sophomore small forward OG Anunoby.

Here is what Ford has to say about Anunoby landing with the Knicks.

"The Knicks could use some help at the 2, but with no great shooting guards on the board, Anunoby will be very attractive instead.He’s built like an NFL player but with athleticism and quickness. He’s the ideal 3-and-D player who has a little Kawhi Leonard in his game."

Anunoby would help the Knicks in plenty of areas they are struggling, namely three-point shooting and defense. Measured at 6-feet-8 inches tall and 235 pounds, Anunoby can be a handful for anyone to handle offensively or defensively.

The only negative that ESPN’s scouting department has on Anunoby is that he is raw offensively. He also struggles at the foul line, where he has shot 49.4 percent in his career at Indiana. But, he should be able to get some baskets based off his athleticism alone as he can finish above the rim. He has deep range on his three-point shot and the ability to defend multiple positions.

Anunoby would be an excellent addition next to Porzingis in the Knicks frontcourt. He has the skill set to be successful right from the start in his NBA career and someone Knicks fans would enjoy watching.

Next: New York Knicks First Quarter Player Grades

Anunoby would be a good consolation prize for the Knicks should they miss the postseason and end up selecting in the lottery.

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