Three Reasons the Raptors Should Draft Kemba Walker over Brandon Knight
Three reasons the Raptors should draft Kemba Walker over Brandon Knight:
1. Leadership ability
2. Clutch performer
3. NBA ready
The No. 1 reason the Raptors should choose Kemba Walker over Brandon Knight is his leadership ability. Though he is lacking in size, he never lacks in heart or intangibles. Much has been made about the possibility of losing Reggie Evans and his leadership in the locker room, and someone like Kemba can step right in to help and fill that void. Walker is a more proven floor general than the younger Knight is at this stage in their careers and was also adept at stealing the ball in college, which is something you look for in elite point guards.
Kemba Walker has proven that he can shine and produce on the biggest stages, something that the younger Knight did not. Knight has made big shots in high school and a couple in college but lost the head-to-head matchup with Kemba both times they met. Kemba led his unranked UConn Huskies to the NCAA championship and literally put the team on his back for the entire tournament. His winning pedigree will not go unnoticed by the Raptors and his clutch play coupled with his leadership qualities may indeed make him the name the Raptors have at the top of their big board by draft day.
Kemba Walker is more NBA ready than Brandon Knight, plain and simple. While a lot of this has to do with their age difference and amount of years in college, this will play a factor in the decision making process.
Walker can step right in an average 18 and seven given 33-plus minutes per game while someone like Knight, who could really use another year of college, would likely play backup to start the season. Walker is also more mentally and physically ready for the NBA after averaging 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals in his junior year of college.
Stay tuned for our Kemba Walker fit analysis.
