Loser: New York Knicks
I do not think their is better way to describe the New York Knicks’ draft selections other than by saying they’re the Knicks. After a few years of solid draft selections, they turn around and swing for the fences on both of their picks. I admire the aggressive picking, but if when there are more sensible options that have both a floor that is almost as high as your top-10 selection’s ceiling, you go with the safer bet that will likely turn into the better player.
With the ninth overall pick in the draft the New York Knicks selected Kevin Knox — when both Miles and Mikal Bridges were still available. These are the sensible options that I foreshadowed in the previous paragraph. Knox was 27th on my big board compared to Miles and Mikal who were both in the top 10.
Knox does have upside and has appeal as a nice size and shooting combination. Even being one the youngest players in the class, the Knicks are banking on rapid athletic and skill development throughout his career — rather than taking Mikal or Miles Bridges, two prospects that are both ready to contribute to winning basketball immediately and at a high level.
Then the Knicks selected Mitchell Robinson in the second round. I am totally fine with Robinson being selected in the second round, but not by the Knicks. He is easily the most talented player with the most upside in the second round and may have been after the top 10.
However, Robinson has had plenty of off-court issues since he has burst onto the national basketball scene. I think he needed to go to an organization with more structure, rather than one that has shown the inability to bring in unpredictable personalities and handle them well. Overall, the Knicks could be 0-for-2 and approach the offseason at this time next year struggling to hold onto Kristaps Porzingis.