Kevin McCullar Jr. NBA Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Knicks Roster

The New York Knicks added a star player from one of college basketball's most noteworthy teams when they selected Kansas Jayhawks swingman Kevin McCullar Jr. with the No. 56 overall pick of the 2024 NBA draft on Thursday.

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Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Kevin McCullar Jr.

Position: SG/SF

Height: 6'7"

Pro Comparison: Josh Hart

Scouting Report: Despite Kevin McCullar's improved scoring average, NBA scouts remain more intrigued by his two-way versatility. He may be missing one signature skill, but the ability to make up shots, slash, pass, rebound and defensive both wing spots creates glue-guy potential for teams to use between higher-level creators and shooters.

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Knicks Active Roster and 2024-25 Salary (Expiration Year)

Pacome Dadiet, SF/PF: Rookie-scale contract

Tyler Kolek, PG: TBD

Kevin McCullar Jr., SG/SF: TBD

Ariel Hukporti, C: TBD

OG Anunoby, SF: $36.6M (2029)

Julius Randle, PF: $30.3M (2026)

Jalen Brunson, PG: $25M (2026)

Mikal Bridges, SF: $23.3M (2025)

Josh Hart, SF: $18.1M (2028)

Mitchell Robinson, C: $14.3M (2026)

Donte DiVincenzo, SG: $11.4M (2027)

Miles McBride, PG: $4.7M (2027)

Mamadi Diakite, PF: $2.3M (2025)

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Free Agents

Alec Burks, SG: UFA

Isaiah Hartenstein, C: UFA

Precious Achiuwa, PF: RFA

Jericho Sims, C: Club option

DaQuan Jeffries, SG: Club option

Shake Milton, SG: UFA

Jacob Toppin, SF: RFA

Charlie Brown Jr., SG: RFA

Duane Washington Jr., PG: RFA

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McCullar is a household name among college basketball fans after he was an All-Big 12 First Team selection last season.

He averaged 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. He was also a Big 12 All-Defense selection the previous season in 2022-23.

That defense should help him carve out a role for his new team as soon as his rookie season. As Wasserman highlighted, he can defend multiple positions with his combination of length and athleticism.

Throw in the ability to take over games as a scorer that he showed at times in college, and there is plenty that McCullar can offer at the next level.