New York Knicks: 5 options for pick No. 8 in 2017 NBA Draft

The New York Knicks have the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Here are five players they should consider with that pick.

The New York Knicks were left disappointed again in the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery last month. They went into the lottery with better odds of picking seventh, but the ping pong balls had other plans, dropping them down a spot to eighth.

Considering they could have entered the lottery with the sixth-best odds one spot if not for a tiebreaker loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves — another blemish on an ugly 2016-17 season — the drop to eighth was disappointing to say the least.

This year New York will again look to rebuild younger and faster with extensive knowledge of the triangle offense. The constant back and forth regarding Derrick Rose or Ricky Rubio as future point guards of the team still plays a role on this pick’s value. The Knicks are also fielding a possible deal with the Portland Trail Blazers involving their multiple first round picks and small forward Moe Harkless.

This year’s crop of players is both talented and NBA-ready, so the Knicks can’t cry too much over their current spot considering the player they draft could have All-Star potential. The best part about this year’s draft is the unique and talented flood of point guards — a definite position of need for New York unless the plan is to start last season’s undrafted rookie Ron Baker.

As New York looks to the lottery prospects likely to be available at No. 8, who stands out as a possible franchise point guard to complement Kristaps Porzingis? Will the chance of a trade involving Carmelo Anthony affect the pick? And how does New York address the lingering push to run the triangle offense as per team president Phil Jackson?

Let’s see what type of players can help turn the Knicks around in the 2017 NBA Draft.