New York Knicks: 4 options for No. 8 overall pick in the NBA draft
By Chip Murphy
3. Stay put at No. 8
The safest move for the Knicks is to stay put at the eighth pick. They need a point guard, but with Ball sure to be off the board by then, it opens up new options for Rose.
I think I’m being nice when I say that the 2019-20 Knicks roster was lacking in talent. Teams in their position often take the best player available regardless of position.
An addition of talent at any position would be welcome, but with Mitchell Robinson at the center, New York should be looking at wings first.
Two names who will probably be linked to New York throughout the draft process are Florida State’s Devin Vassell and Auburn’s Isaac Okoro.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, Vassell “has some fans at Madison Square Garden.” Vassell checks off the 3-and-D boxes. He shot 41.7 percent from 3-point range in two seasons at FSU and finished fifth in the ACC in defensive box plus-minus this season.
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Okoro is not the shooter Vassell is, but he’s a strong, high IQ player who can defend multiple positions. Either player would be a great fit for a Tom Thibodeau team.
But LaMelo Ball isn’t the only point guard in this draft. Even if they stay at eight, the Knicks could still have the option to go with players like Killian Hayes and Tyrese Haliburton.
New York has already interviewed Hayes, so expect him to be linked to the team too. Rose and his staff may end up with the steal of the draft if they go with Hayes. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has Hayes No. 1 on his draft board.
Haliburton is probably not going to change the franchise, but he’s going to make shots from day one. This season, the ex-Iowa State guard shot 41.9 percent from 3-point range, 43.3 percent on 2-point jumpers (via hoop-math), and 82.2 percent from the free throw line.