Knicks Rumors: Trae Young, Collin Sexton and Latest 2018 NBA Draft Lottery Buzz
After introducing David Fizdale as head coach, the New York Knicks await their 2018 NBA draft placement. The lottery takes place Tuesday at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago to determine the order of the first 14 selections.
Before the pingpong balls shape the Knicks' future roster decisions, there's early buzz pertaining to the organization's direction in the selection process. Fizdale must figure out where the current pieces fit. Player options for Enes Kanter and Kyle O'Quinn could also affect how the front office goes about strengthening the roster.
Among the major discussions, the Knicks have to agree on the development path for last year's first-round pick, Frank Ntilikina, who played at both guard spots during the previous season.
For the most part, the NBA has morphed into a league that's less beholden to positions and more about specific roles and chemistry around star players. If anyone wants to take a guess at what's high on Fizdale's priority list, it's finding the right pieces to complement forward Kristaps Porzingis.
What's the latest on the plans to elevate the franchise and end an agonizing five-year playoff drought? What will it take for the front office to consider selecting Alabama prospect Collin Sexton? Who's on the draft radar for the first round?
Will the New York Knicks Consider Collin Sexton, Trae Young?
Despite the Knicks' logjam at guard, there's a growing buzz for Sexton as a fit in New York. ESPN.com NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony published a full mock draft that assessed the Alabama prospect as someone who can create his own shot and penetrate toward the basket for easy buckets.
"Frank Ntilikina has had some nice rookie moments, but the Knicks are finding out that the long-armed, 6'5" guard seems better-suited playing alongside a more dominant ball-handler and shot creator who can take some of the scoring responsibilities off Ntilikina's shoulders."
Sexton led the Crimson Tide back to the men's NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2011-12 season as their lead playmaker. He excelled on the offensive end as a decisive ball-handler, but he averaged just 3.6 assists per game through his freshman campaign. The Knicks would probably want to see that number rise with more talent around him, but it's a projection rather than a certainty.
In order to pick Sexton, the Knicks would have to view him as a superior player to their young guards currently on the roster, per New York Post reporter Marc Berman:
"One NBA source close to the Knicks brain trust told The Post they must decide if the Alabama guard is an unquestioned upgrade over what they already have in Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke."
Similar to Ntilikina, Sexton hasn't developed a consistent three-point shooting range at this stage in his career. On a positive note, he's a solid on-ball defender who can challenge the opposing team's backcourt playmaker. When comparing the two, it's not a clear-cut upgrade. The Alabama prospect's presence could lead to a trade at the position.
As for Trae Young, his father Rayford Young told SNY.tv's Adam Zagoria that his son would work out for the Knicks, but there's nothing set in stone:
"'Of course,' Rayford Young said from Los Angeles, where Trae [was] working out, adding that it's 'too early' to set any dates."
Draft placement will ultimately decide if the Knicks have a shot at Young, who could land within the top five. He's previously drawn comparisons to Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
While it's premature to compare Young to a two-time league MVP and former scoring champion, it would go down as a huge mistake to pass on the Oklahoma standout who led the nation in points (27.4) and assists (8.7) per game for the 2017-18 season.
Who's on the Knicks' Draft Radar?
Fizdale appeared on ESPN's Get Up morning show to talk about the ideal prototype player for the Knicks:
It sounds similar to the gritty Memphis Grizzlies roster Fizdale coached for 107 games over the past two seasons. Based on his description, we could see the Knicks choose a two-way wing player that provides an immediate impact on both ends of the court.
According to Berman, New York has interest in Villanova's Mikal Bridges and Michigan State product Miles Bridges:
"If the Knicks stick at their current ninth seed, Villanova small forward Mikal Bridges, fresh off an NCAA title, will probably be available, and they have interest. They also are intrigued by the larger upside of Michigan State’s Miles Bridges."
At 6'7" 225 pounds, the Michigan State standout can also play power forward if the Knicks choose to use Porzingis at center. His thicker build will allow him to handle NBA bodies in the paint as a consistent rebounder. He has range on his shot but also scores three points the old-fashioned way with an interior presence plus reliable free-throw shooting.
The Villanova product has the athletic ability to guard three or four positions. He shot 43 percent from three-point range during his junior year. The 21-year-old fits Fizdale's length requirement as a defender who pokes passes away to lead fast breaks. His totals in steals and blocks increased each year in college.
The Knicks can't go wrong with either player. More importantly, it's good to see the front office and head coach on the same page with their ideal player type.
Frank Ntilikina's Developmental Outlook Could Impact Draft Preferences
Former Knicks president Phil Jackson selected Ntilikina primarily for his projected role in the triangle offense. Steve Mills held the vice-president and general manager positions at the time.
Now, as the team president, Mills must come to an agreement with general manager Scott Perry on where the 2016 No. 8 overall pick fits in the backcourt. Apparently, it's not a cut-and-dried conclusion that Ntilikina moves forward as a true point guard, per Berman:
"According to sources, [Frank] Ntilikina's skill as a pure point guard is something Mills and Perry have debated."
In Fizdale's ESPN segment with Jalen Rose and Michelle Beadle, he gave a brief assessment on Ntilikina:
As a combo guard, Ntilikina wouldn't settle into a strict ball-distributor role. Fizdale's tone suggests he wants the 19-year-old to take more shots as opposed to deferring on offense.
Expect the Knicks to further explore Ntilikina's capabilities at a crowded position that also includes young talents such as Mudiay, Burke and 10th-year veteran Courtney Lee. The decision to draft Sexton would likely move him to the 2.
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