Current Roster
PG: Frank Ntilikina/Chasson Randle
SG: Courtney Lee/Damyean Dotson
SF: Carmelo Anthony/Lance Thomas
PF: Kristaps Porzingis/Mindaugas Kuzminskas/Maurice Ndour
C: Willy Hernangomez/Joakim Noah/Kyle O'Quinn/Marshall Plumlee
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Derrick Rose
G Sasha Vujacic
G Justin Holiday
Restricted
G Ron Baker
Who They Drafted
1-8 Frank Ntilikina, PG/SG Strasbourg
2-44 Damyean Dotson, SG Houston
2-58 Ognjen Jaramaz, PG Mega Bemax
As a big, defensively excellent guard that can shoot the ball but isn't necessarily the most natural play maker, Frank Ntilikina is a perfect triangle guard. Unfortunately, Phil Jackson and his triangle offense are no longer involved in New York but only after he drafted Ntilikina over Dennis Smith, who is a much better fit in a regular offense, leaving the Knicks on uncertain footing regarding their young guard. Ntilikina does a lot of good things, he is very long and has the potential to be a tremendous, multi-positional defender. Offensively, he has become a really good shooter and has some potential as a lead guard, but hasn't exactly flashed the level of playmaking you would want from a primary facilitator. Ntilikina will only be 19 next season, so he has a lot of room for growth but there is a real chance his future is as a shooting guard or secondary option point guard, ala Patrick Beverley, but with more playmaking ability.
In the second round, the Knicks drafted a lower upside, role-player type in Damyean Dotson who transferred from Oregon to Houston after some pretty ugly stuff. On the court, Dotson was one of the best three-point shooters in the country last season, making 44% of his 245 three point attempts last season, making shots in variety of ways from beyond the arc, coming off of screens, pulling up, and hitting quickly off the catch. However, aside from some good rebounding for a guard and potentially average defense, Dotson doesn't bring a ton else to the table and if his shooting drops back to the 32-36% he was at the previous three years, his value will be low. If the shooting is real, he could be a solid, if unspectacular three-and-D wing.
The last pick, near the end of the second round, is like stash candidate Ognjen Jamaraz. Jamaraz is an exciting play to watch because he is a very athletic and aggressive player that is constantly trying to get to the rim, no matter how forced. He's not a natural point guard and isn't a great shooter yet, two areas he'll have to iron out in the NBA. If he can become average at both, the Knicks might have a backup guard and a really fun one at that.
What They Need Going Forward
The Knicks need their front office sorted out and they need to attack this free agency smartly, not over paying aging vets like they did last year but searching out bargain and short term deals to fill out their roster and build around their young pieces. Figuring out how to move on from Carmelo Anthony, be it buy out or trade, will go a long way in clearing things up. Melo is still a very good player, however when he is around the team will always feel pressure to push their timeline, once gone they can slow it down a little bit and build more organically. Short term, they definitely need a point guard to bridge the gap between now and when Ntilikina is ready (or moved to a different position) ditto for shooting guard, where Courtney Lee (and Dotson) are all they really have.
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