NBA Draft: What's your move, Knicks?

After literally the worst season in Knicks history, I still find myself feeling optimistic.  How's that possible?  Am I drunk or delusional?  Well, I'm not a big drinker, so I'm certainly not drunk.  Delusional, however, is a real possibility considering I just took a Benadryl.  All kidding aside, the reason I'm feeling hopeful for a bounce back year is because the NBA Draft is tonight, and the Knicks are selecting at number 4.  With some of New York's draft picks in the last few years, you'd think I'd be more scared than excited (Iman Shumpert, Renaldo Balkman, Andy Rautins, Landry Fields).  But that was a different regime, and I'm really hoping that Phil Jackson and co. can bring someone in with a lot of upside and talent.  I'm going to take a look at some of the guys that might be available at 4, if the Knicks don't make a trade (also a good possibility).  

Let's get a couple of names out of the way immediately.  Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor will almost certainly be chosen 1 and 2, leaving a handful of players that have the potential to be chosen by the Knicks.  

1.) D'Angelo Russell 

Russell is actually still a hair of a long shot because the 76ers are picking at 3.  Last year Philadelphia traded away their point guard, Michael Carter-Williams, leaving a vacancy at the 1 spot.  Believed to be the best point guard in the class, there's probably a 99% chance that they take him.  If for some reason they don't, I think New York would be all over Russell.  While he's lacking on defense (and who isn't in today's NBA), he makes up for it with his ability to score and his great floor vision.  He's got a really good jumper, can penetrate the lane, but can just as easily find an open man.  He apparently isn't quite as athletic as some of the guys in the league now (Russell Westbrook, John Wall, etc.), but I doubt that will hurt his draft stock.

2.) Emmanuel Mudiay

Someone who is super athletic, is Mudiay.  He's a point guard too, but isn't quite the scorer or shooter that Russell is.  He can, however, see the floor just as well and is a much better defender.  I'm hearing that Jackson and Derek Fisher are adamant on keeping the triangle-offense intact, so Mudiay might not be the pick due to his lack of offense. If they weren't, though, I'd have no problem with them taking him and helping him develop his jump shot, because with a little more offense, he could become a great player. 

3.) Kristaps Porzingis

I've been hearing a ton about Porzingis over the last few days, and it's all positive.  When all of the draft coverage first started, player analysis, scouting reports, what have you, people made this kid sound like Andrea Bargnani.  A really tall player that can shoot and spread the floor, but not play a lick of defense.  Well, all of that has changed.  Now I'm hearing how he can shoot and spread the floor, but also protect the rim.  So which is it?  Is he soft or can he bang down low with NBA players?  Considering his lanky frame, it might be a couple of seasons before he packs on some meat, but it sounds like there's more upside than risk, making him a real possibility for New York at 4.

4.)  Justise Winslow

Winslow really made a name for himself in the NCAA tournament last year, and that could be the very reason he projects in the top 10 and maybe the top 5.  He doesn't appear to have any weaknesses, but the only thing I could find is that his jump shot needs improvement.  Considering he's 19, I think that's the best problem to have.  He's got a great motor, he's quick and is a good defender.  He doesn't really have a set position, though.  Could be a small forward or a shooting guard, but with all of those positive traits, who cares, right?  

There are a few other players that have been linked to New York, such as Willie Cauley-Stein, Frank Kaminsky and Trey Lyles.  If the Knicks want one of those 3 guys, they should, and hopefully will, trade down.  If any of them get selected at 4, you can be sure that the boo's will rain down. 

Russell, Mudiay, Porzingis and Winslow are the guys that I think have the best shot of becoming a Knick tonight.  However, it wouldn't be a Knicks article without mentioning the possibility of a trade.  There was a rumor this week that the Phoenix Suns offered Eric Bledsoe and their 13th pick for New York's 1st rounder.  I just read that that trade is already off the table, but something like that would make sense for New York.  Getting a proven player and still netting a 1st rounder is the best case scenario.  Not only could you hit a homerun with the draft pick, but having Carmelo Anthony plus another good player might help attract some free agents this summer. 

If I had to guess, I'll say the Knicks end up trading the pick, whether it be for a player or for more picks.  The beauty of it is nothing is set in stone, so there's a ton of scenarios that can play out.  Should make for a very entertaining night.