New York Knicks 2015 Draft Preview
Jun 23, 2015 - 4:10 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Knicks make everything a little more interesting.After a season when Carmelo Anthony came back for a lot of money but missed the second half with knee surgery, the Knicks were dreadful. Even with Anthony, the Knicks were bad en route to the worst record in the league, and maybe the worst luck in the league.
They fell to fourth and some reports suggest that if the first three picks go as expected -- Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns, Duke's Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell -- the Knicks will try to trade down. Phil Jackson might take more picks and a young player to give up the No. 4 pick.
The Knicks need everything. If they stay at four, Emmanuel Mudiay might be the pick. He's a super-freak point guard with handle, explosiveness and a good feel for the defensive side.
Mudiay was going to go to SMU, but elected to play in China. He hurt his ankle in China and didn't play a ton, so the sample size isn't great, but Mudiay has worked out well for teams. There's a drawback to Mudiay -- he can't shoot. That can come with time, but the physical traits are mind-boggling.
If Mudiay isn't Jackson's guy, Latvia's Kristaps Porzingis is tantalizing. At 6-foot-11, Porzingis is an amazing athlete who can shoot and block shots. Teams are falling hard for Porzingis.
The Knicks might look at Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein, the super versatile center who can defend all five positions with his athleticism.
Jackson would love to acquire more assets, so trading down is very possible. If not, it's most likely Mudiay.
Players Under Contract: F Carmelo Anthony; G Jose Calderon; G Tim Hardaway; F Cleanthony Early; G Langston Galloway
Free Agents: F/C Andrea Bargnani; G Alexey Shved; F/C Jason Smith; F Quincy Acy; C Cole Aldrich; F Travis Wear; F Lou Amundson; F Lance Thomas; G Ricky Ledo; G Shane Larkin (team option)
Draft History:
2014: Cleanthony Early (34), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (51)
2013: Tim Hardaway, Jr. (24)
2012: Kostas Papanikolaou (48)
2011: Iman Shumpert (17)
2010: Andy Rautins (38), Landry Fields (39)
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