A March Madness primer for Knicks fan NBA Draft sickos
College basketball’s greatest showcase is here. Is there a future Knick (or more?) playing in the Big Dance?
Let’s start with some facts.
First, the Knicks have two draft picks this year:
Their own pick, which will be somewhere in the 25-28 range depending on their record at end of season
A second round pick from the Wizards, likely in the 33-35 range (let’s be real, that first rounder isn’t conveying)
Second, this is shaping up to be the best draft since the 2018 class. This draft, like that one, is likely deep with NBA rotation contributors and will probably include a few predictable All-Stars stemming from the top five, as well as some near-stars from other parts of the draft. As a result, players who would normally be top 10 should be available in the teens, players normally in the back end of the lotto should be available in the 20s, and late-first-round-pick quality players should be available in the second round.
Now, let’s speculate. The Knicks in recent years have traded up, traded down, and traded out of the draft entirely. This year, where they pick and how many picks they want will likely hinge on their offseason plans.
In certain scenarios, they may want to save money for retaining guys like Jose Alvarado and Landry Shamet, being wary of salary cap apron considerations. In a situation like that, any rookies they draft will have to be as cheap as possible – that could mean in the 30s, or one in the 30s and a pick in the 50s, signed to a two-way contract.
Another example of how this matters: if they do not retain players — like, say, Jordan Clarkson, or Ariel Hukporti, or Jose or Landry — they will need to fill those roster spots, and it may be cheaper to draft a player than sign another vet. So maybe they go and acquire an extra pick. There are loads of permutations here, but the greater point is that you shouldn’t assume that where the Knicks pick in a given ESPN mock draft is where they will pick on draft day.
OK. With that out of the way, what future Knickerbocker is playing in March Madness? Where are they expected to be picked? Below is a little cheat sheet so you can go into your degenerate gambling flow state more informed than ever. I’ve grouped the prospects into three groups, according to where I believe it will be likely they are picked. Age shown is the age the players will be at the start of their rookie seasons.
Might be there after 25, might be long gone
These players might go as high as 15, but might hang around til the end of the first round due to the extraordinary depth of this class.
Morez Johnson Jr., 20 years old, 6’9” Big, Michigan
Morez is a monster defender who is built like a tank. He has long arms, and alternates between moving with grace and violence. Great finisher, emerging shooter. Would be a perfect bench piece in New York as a power forward who could play with Karl-Anthony Towns, or as a versatile backup 5, and would give the Knicks a dimension of strength and athleticism they lack.
Dailyn Swain, 21, 6’7” Wing, Texas
Genuine wing-sized scorer with plus handles and plus athleticism. Mocked later, but should probably be in the lotto ahead of some freshmen with more clout. Gets into the paint at will, incredible finisher both above the rim and with finesse. Strong passer, runs offense for Texas. Defends. Jumper is a work in progress, but promising.
Cameron Carr, 21, 6’6” Wing, Baylor
Ridiculously long arms, ridiculous shooter, with ridiculous bounce. Takes a high volume of threes, including off movement. Regularly hits poster dunks. Not a ball handler. Defense is OK, buoyed by him using athleticism and length to excel at help rim protection.
Bennett Stirtz, 23, 6’5” Guard, Iowa
Bigger, older guard with a claim as the best pull-up shooter in the class. Unbelievably saucy handles, very good first step. Generally plays below the rim but has incredible touch as a finisher. Defense is shaky due to lack of strength and flexibility. Good passer and decision maker.
Patrick Ngongba, 20, 7’1” Center, Duke
Mitchell Robinson-sized center with very strong flashes of shooting, passing, and even perimeter defense. Anchor of the best defense in the NCAA. Has dealt with injuries, including foot injuries, which is always scary at his size.
Decent chance they’re available at 25
These players are routinely mocked at the end of the first and start of the second. A team could reach for them at 20, or they could fall to 40. Most tend to be gone in the first 10 picks of second rounds of mock drafts.
Motiejus Krivas, 21, 7’2” Center, Arizona
One of the most impactful defenders in the country. Absolute tank, will be stronger than almost every NBA center he faces. Elite rebounder, surprising touch from floater range and the free throw line. Lost a season to foot surgery. Doesn’t pass much.
Joshua Jefferson, 23, 6’8” Forward, Iowa State
Big, husky wing with astonishing passing ability. Would be the best passer on the Knicks on Day 1. Mobile and versatile on defense, but not explosive on either end. Just learned to shoot well as a senior, but pretty confident with good form.
Aday Mara, 21, 7’3” Center, Michigan
Tallest, longest boi in the draft. Anchors an elite Michigan defense, shuts down water at the rim. Great finisher, incredibly ambitious — and flashy — passer. Could add a few pounds.
Henri Veesaar, 22, 7’ Center, North Carolina
The one true stretch 5 in this draft. Very good and willing shooter from 3, who can also hit a nice baby hook and floater. Solid rebounder and passer. Defense is nothing special.
Isaiah Evans, 20, 6’6” Shooting Guard, Duke
Unconscious gunner from three, one of the highest volume shooters in the NCAA. High feel. Can attack closeouts well. Skinniness is an issue on defense, but still gets after it, resulting in surprising blocks and steals.
Zuby Ejiofor, 22, 6’9” Center, St. John’s
New York favorite, super strong and athletic and nimble big man. Genuinely switchable. High motor, great passer, plus ball handler for his position. Undersized in terms of height and length for a 5, can’t shoot, and a bit older for a center prospect.
Davis Fogle, 20, 6’6” Wing, Gonzaga
Freshman with long arms and bounce who just entered the Gonzaga rotation and immediately became a two-way force. Punches shots like a bigger player, motor runs hot, capable shooter. Might return to Gonzaga, though.
Gems later in the second round
These players tend to be mocked after the 40th pick. Given the nature of the second round — full of team promises, refused workouts, players targeting teams and vice versa — you could see a team “reach” for them early a la the Knicks and Tyler Kolek… or they could drop to 51 and be a diamond in the rough like Mo Diawara.
Ivan Kharchenkov, 20, 6’7” Wing, Arizona
Demon-level freshman perimeter defender with size and strength. Motor runs super hot. Capable shooter. Low-usage, so the gamble is will a mere role player in the NCAA be a role player in the NBA? Also, may return to Arizona.
Juke Harris, 21, 6’7” Wing, Wake Forest
Sleeper wing slasher, black air force energy. Physical attacking the rim, confident and willing from three — but more good shooter than great. Size, shooting, attacking mix is first-round-pick level. Motor on defense comes and goes but is capable.
Keyshawn Hall, 23, 6’7” Wing, Auburn
Older wing prospect with legitimate plus handles, great spot-up shooting, and some bounce. Shaky finisher but collapses defenses with ease, creating easy looks for teammates in the process. Can run pick-and-roll. Good effort on defense, good passer. Holds the ball a bit too much.
Rueben Chinyelu, 23, 6’10” Center, Florida
Physical specimen who is having a historic rebounding season, a key part of an elite Florida team. Athletic gifts include incredible mobility despite looking like Nigerian Hercules. Defensive instincts are hit or miss, but his physical gifts give him a huge margin. No real skills on offense, but will dunk that shit.
Flory Bidunga, 21, 6’10” Center, Kansas
Elite defensive center, quickest hips and switchability of anyone on this list. Long arms, lots of blocks. A bit skinnier, so can be moved in the post and on the glass at times, but generally a strong rebounder. His offense is mainly play finishing. Great dunk finisher, shaky layup finisher.
