Draft prospects - Who do we want?

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Don't cry if we don't get Towns or okafor. Russell or Mudiay would be just fine.

Remember we already have 9 bigs plus pek

None of them are starting quality though. I would be happy with Russell though.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Just a note and not really a surprise.

Ian O'Connor
@Ian_OConnor

Most educated Knicks fan I know left town hall meeting w/ strong impression Phil Jackson would draft Karl-Anthony Towns No. 1. 1h

Thx for that. Disappointing for me because even though my draft order changes day to day, I have Towns ranked #1 now. Hopefully Carnak Cool is correct about us winning the lottery this year.

Actually LST, history would say that the NYK will NOT get the #1 pick. See history below for results of past 23 drafts:

I added team in that spot as of today.

Worst Team - won 3 times (NYK)
2nd worst - won 4 times (MN)
3rd worst - won 5 times (Phi)
4th worst - won 0 times (LAL)
5th worst - won 5 times (Orl)
6th worst - won 2 times (Kings)
7, 8, 9 & 11 have each also won 1.

Good point, Hicks...history has clearly shown that the #1 seed is no lock at all for getting the first pick. But we do know this...the #1 seed has the highest percentage chance of getting the first pick. And we know that there is only a slim chance that the Wolves will leapfrog the Knicks (20% chance if we end up the 3rd seed, and 16 % chance if we end up the 3rd seed), so Jackson's interest in KAT is bad news for Towns' fans.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

LST, Exactly! Think about how we got Beasley for a 2nd rounder after 2 years. He was the second pick in the draft and put up sold stats and still young. If he was still in college and coming out in this draft he would be the first pick. Picks are typically worth more then the player. We should all be happy about Wiggins actually proving he is really good and being worth more then the 1st pick in this draft.

That begs the question then.....Should we deal our pick if the right opportunity comes along? What would you and others define as the right opportunity?

My outline of the "right opportunity" would be someone still within the first couple years of their rookie deal and playing terrific ball. I've mentioned Gobert before (not that Utah would trade him), but I haven't really thought about it much after that.

Great question, q. Because human nature seems to favor the potential of the draft pick over the known NBA player, it seems that trading your draft pick for a player coming off a disappointing rookie year might be a good strategy. That's why I would approach Philly about Embiid or Noel if we ended up with the 3rd or 4th pick.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I'm getting closer to the idea of putting WCS ahead of Mudiay on my wishlist. Cauley-Stein is as unique of a big as there is in the NBA. Check out his lateral quicks + vertical reach and he's in a class of his own.

I'm also close to that conclusion, cam...just too much uncertainty with Mudiay in my estimation. I may change my opinion on this, though, if Mudiay is really impressive in workouts.

[BloopOracle]

how much does the recent news that WCS has the sickle cell trait hurt his draft stock?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm getting closer to the idea of putting WCS ahead of Mudiay on my wishlist. Cauley-Stein is as unique of a big as there is in the NBA. Check out his lateral quicks + vertical reach and he's in a class of his own.

I think I'd love WCS more if he could rebound the ball better. That to me is huge, especially for our team, and it's also something that reliably translates to the next level, meaning he isn't going to suddenly become a great rebounder as a pro. He's been steady-eddy at around 10 rebs per 40 minutes since his freshman year.That isn't very good for someone we want holding the fort down in the paint for us over the next decade, especially against NBA big men who will likely outweigh him by 15-30 lbs.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'm not worried about WCS's rebounding. The tools are there. I see a double-double guy with All-NBA level defense with him.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm not worried about WCS's rebounding. The tools are there. I see a double-double guy with All-NBA level defense with him.

You can say it, but the facts and history of how rebounding translates from college to the pros don't bode well for him.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

There are always outliers, Q, especially if they're athletic freaks.

DeAndre Jordan didn't have much better rebounding numbers than Cauley-Stein in college, and somehow he's a league leader in that category in the NBA.

He doesn't need to be that, though. His value comes in how terrific his defense is, both man and team. And it's a trait that has been consistent. That's where he gets his props.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

how much does the recent news that WCS has the sickle cell trait hurt his draft stock?

Bloop, unless there's something new, I think this came out over a year ago. During either his freshman or sophomore year, Calipari was questioned for only playing Stein 25 minutes when he had a triple double going. WCS defended his coach, saying he asked to come out because his chest hurt from his sickle cell trait. That was the first anyone had ever heard of it...his high school coach said it was never a factor. Keep in mind this is sickle cell trait, not anemia, and something like 15% of African Americans have it. I wouldn't be surprised if there were 30-40 guys in the NBA with the trait. I don't see it as a concern.