New York Knicks Draft Review

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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2015 Draft Review: New York Knicks

2015-16 Rotation

PG: Jose Calderon/Jerian Grant

SG: Langston Galloway

SF: Cleanthony Early

PF: Carmelo Anthony/Kristaps Porzingis

C: ???

2015 Free Agents

PF Quincy Acy (RFA)

G Alexey Shved (RFA)

PF Travis Wear (RFA)

C Cole Aldrich

PF Lou Amundson

C Andrea Bargnani

PG Shane Larkin

PF Jason Smith

F Lance Thomas

What They Did On Draft Night

Drafted Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis 3rd overall

Though I didn't think he was the forth best player in the draft, as a prospect, Porzingis is the real deal and should be good, but I am not sure New York is a great fit for him. Not because as soon as he misses a shot, their fans will be all over him, but because his position of power forward is one that should be filled by Carmelo Anthony. Anthony's defense is much more bearable at power forward, and his offense is absolutely devastating at that position. This makes even less sense when you factor Porzingis is somewhat of a project that won't be ready to play starters minutes for another year or two; during that time Carmelo will also be getting older (shocking I know) and he'll become even more of a defensive liability on the perimeter. Now if they trade Anthony and commit to a true rebuilding, giving Porzingis the minutes he needs to develop that is another matter. However I can't see the Knicks doing that, instead they'll likely go for the quick fix and Porzingis' development will stall. I can't fault New York for taking a player that has a chance to be very good, but it may cause some issues down the line when all of their players are ready to go full-out and fit together weirdly. I also worry they won't be patient with his development.

Traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to Atlanta for the 19th overall pick, drafted Notre Dame point guard Jerian Grant

As questionable as the first pick is, their second move looks brilliant. Tim Hardaway Jr. might not be an NBA player, but the Knicks got a first round pick for him. Better that that, they selected an excellent prospect at good value. Jerian Grant has starting potential for New York and has the size they want in the triangle. In a more traditional offense, Grant excels in pick-and-roll but is equally effective off the ball because of how well he moves off the ball. Defensively, he has potential to defend both guard spots at an above-average level. On a good team, Grant is probably the first guard off of the bench, but the Knicks are not a good team so he should probably start and be given every opportunity until a definitively better player comes along to move him to the bench.

Traded two future second rounders for Spanish center Guillermo Hernangomez, drafted 35th overall by Philadelphia

The Knicks basically owe Philadelphia every one of their second round picks from now until the earth collapses into a black hole (an apt metaphor for the Knicks), but they got a solid young prospect in this trade. Hernangomez is likely a stash for a year or two, but he fits well in the triangle because he can face up while having good feel passing and the handling the ball. Defensively he isn't a shot blocker, but is relatively mobile and could become a good below the rim defender. Hernangomez played on the same team as Porzingis in Spain, so they two have some chemistry. I doubt he becomes a starter, but for 10-15 minutes a night Hernangomez could be a decent backup center in the triangle.

What To Do Next?

What the Knicks shouldn't do is go for 30+ year-old free agents in an attempt to win now, unless they are on short term one, maybe two year deals. Instead they should focus on the years in the future when Porzingis will presumably become the star to lead their team. Center Robin Lopez still has a number of prime years left and could be the defensive anchor that the Knicks so desperately need while not costing them too much money. A less expensive center option would be restricted free agent Bismack Biyombo, who while certainly a flawed player can protect the rim and wouldn't cost much. They should also make a run at DeMarre Carroll, Danny Green, Wes Matthews and even Jimmy Butler, but without going overboard financially to get one. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu is a different type of player than those others, but he would compliment Carmelo very well. Trading Carmelo should definitely be on the table, especially if they can get back draft picks or a good young player.

A bonus trade sure to never happen

Carmelo Anthony to Dallas for Chandler Parsons, Justin Anderson, Dwight Powell, and Devin Harris

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2015 Draft Preview: New York Knicks

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Jose Calderon

SG: Langston Galloway/Tim Hardaway Jr.

SF: Cleanthony Early

PF: Carmelo Anthony

C: ???

2015 Free Agents

PF Quincy Acy (RFA)

G Alexey Shved (RFA)

PF Travis Wear (RFA)

C Cole Aldrich

PF Lou Amundson

C Andrea Bargnani

PG Shane Larkin

PF Jason Smith

F Lance Thomas

2015 Draft Picks

1-4

Team Needs 

Considering the Knicks have no definitive rotation players under the age of 30, the Knicks essentially need a whole new roster. At this point, Carmelo Anthony should be playing as many of his minutes as possible at power forward, which means they likely go in a different direction with their single draft pick in this draft. Besides that, any other position is possible: center, wing, shooting guard, even point guard. Jose Calderon still has value but will turn 34 before the start of the next season, so point guard is certainly a direction New York could go it.

Potential Fits
New York has a plethora of options at 4. Assuming Karl Towns and Jahlil Okafor are off the board and Philadelphia takes one of Ohio State SG D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Croatian wing Mario Hezonja, the Knicks will have their choice of one of those remaining two in addition to Kentucky center Willie Cauley-Stein, Duke wing Justise Winslow, and forward Stanley Johnson of Arizona. Because Kristraps Porzingis fits best at power forward and is a little more of a project, I don't see New York being interested. They have been rumored to be interesting in Trey Lyles, but not even New York is that inept. Barring a trade down, that leaves them to look at Russell, Mudiay, Hezonja, Winslow, Johnson, and Cauley-Stein. Cauley-Stein would step right in as their starting center and defensive anchor, similar to how Tyson Chandler played for them in the past. Johnson and Winslow would be strong wing defenders to put alongside Carmelo that have had some success creating and making shots. Hezonja is a better offensive player on the wing, but might lack as high of a defense ceiling. Mudiay might be the best prospect with the highest upside of this group, but he isn't an ideal fit in the triangle offense, though I think he could still excel there. Russell on the other hand is an ideal fit, and I do think if Philadelphia goes in another direction he will be the pick for them. Because of how empty their roster is, a trade down for more picks is a definite possibility, which will open up an number of other options. Another rumor de jour is swapping picks with Denver in exchange for Ty Lawson.  

Mock
3. Justise Winslow, G/F, Duke

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New York Knicks Draft Review

34. Cleanthony Early, SF Wichita State Sr. (6-7, 209)

The Knicks lost their first pick to the Nuggets in the Carmelo Anthony trade, but with their first second rounder, they essentially got a first round pick with Early. He likely fell because of his age (23) and the fact he will be converting from power forward to small, though given his althelticism this is a minor concern. That athleticism helps Early be really good in transition and finishing at the rim, while also being able to step out and shoot from deep. His upside is limited because of his age, but Early should provide shooting, defense, and some athletic plays every game, though any in between offensive game may be too much to ask for.

51. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, SF NBDL (6-6, 205)

Anteokokounmpo is very athletic, plays really hard, and should be an eabive-average defender, however he likely is being drafted simply because of his brother. He'd still get a chance, but probably wouldn't be drafted, if not for Giannis. He'll likely continue to play in the D-League, where his offense, particularly shooting, will have to improve if he wants to make an impact at the next level. It is simply an uphill battle for wing players with no offense to make a roster, they need to be world class defenders, which I don't think Antetokounmpo is at this point.

57. Louis Labyrie, C France (6-10, 200)

Given the cap strapped nature of the Knicks roster, it is not shocking they elected to go with a D-Leaguer and an International prospect with two of their three picks. This allows these young players to develop without taking money away from the main roster. The issue with these picks is that neither Antetokounmpo or Louis Labyrie is particularly young (21 and 22, respectively) or have a ton of upside. Labyrie is skinny and athletic, but without much appreciable skill to speak of. I would doubt he ever sees the NBA.

Projected Lineup

PG: Jose Calderon/Pablo Prigioni

SG: Iman Shumpert/J.R. Smith

SF: Cleanthony Early/Tim Hardaway Jr.

PF: Andrea Bargnani/Amar'e Stoudemire 

C: Samuel Dalembert/Jeremy Tyler

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