New York Knicks should forget the guards and target the draft’s top big man
The New York Knicks will likely be picking in the top five of the NBA Draft. While there are plenty of guards to pick from, they should be targeting the draft’s top big man.
After all of their losing, the New York Knicks are destined for a top-five pick in the NBA Draft. Many are targeting guards like Trae Young and Colin Sexton or wings like Mikal Bridges. However, their best bet is targeting the draft’s top big man, DeAndre Ayton.
Ayton brings everything that the team could want in a center. He brings the natural height of a seven footer, true length to alter shots, and a young Shaq-like ability to run the court (Orlando Magic days) and finish hard at the rim. His back to the basket work still needs some improvement but backing down defenders with strength and agility is well above average. He shows great court vision and placing him alongside Kristaps Porzingis would benefit greatly both of their young careers.
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Having these two athletic big men will also ease the burden on any point guard they bring in until they find the final solution or next All-Star guard. It’s easy to forget that players like Isaiah Thomas was once a second-round pick and vastly overlooked because of his size. Every year there is a player like this waiting to get scooped up in the second round and grind out to be the best possible. True dominant centers are very-very rare to see slide into the second round of the draft.
Enes Kanter has done well in his time in New York but he’s not deterring anyone from driving the lane. While Kyle O’Quinn is an excellent backup center who brings great energy, he’s not starter material. The Knicks would be in prime position to have an effective frontcourt that would almost mimic the upstart 76ers.
Finding outstanding guards is more likely to happen than finding dominant big men who can completely change the way you play the game. Scott Perry has done a great job of not overpaying and not selling too low. He’s built himself a little cushion and creative flexibility with his shrewd ways of doing business.
Next: Knicks focused on the future
This is a refreshing change of pace, however, this time the Knicks should want to be ready to strike for the first overall pick if they don’t receive it in the lottery drawing.
It would be great to be lucky. It would be better for the New York Knicks to be prepared.