New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Grades
Post-Draft reaction to New York Knicks’ 2017 selections of Frank Ntilikina, Damyean Dotson, and Ognjen Jaramaz
After all the drama surrounding the New York Knicks recently and the discussion concerning the ineptitude of Phil Jackson, the Knicks were finally able to draft a player that could immensely improve their future. With potential superstar Kristaps Porzingis on the roster, New York needed a backcourt player with a ton of potential, and it looks like they may be headed in the right direction as a franchise.
Frank Ntilikina (8th overall), Point guard, Strasbourg in LNB Pro A in France
Grade: B+
Stats: 5.2 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 48.5 field goal percent, 43 three point percent, 0.8 steals per game, 0.2 blocks per game
Analysis:
Ntilikina is the wild card in this year’s draft. He’s 6’5”, with a 7’0” wingspan and above average leaping ability, and his defensive instincts are off the charts. His upside on that end is tremendous, as you can easily project him defending positions 1–3 in the NBA. As an offensive player, he seems to be comfortable running the pick and roll.
He’s not the most explosive athlete, so it limits his scoring potential, but he has good vision and controls the game in a mature manner, which not many young players can do. His shooting isn’t yet elite, but there’s a lot to be excited about. He shot 43 percent from three this past season, and has NBA range.
Look for him to take advantage of the double teams that Kristaps Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony receive and knock down open jumpers. He doesn’t have much experience and there’s a very small sample size of him, but he did play in the LNB Pro A in France, who have produced great NBA players such as Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, Rudy Gobert, and Boris Diaw.
He’s a high risk, high reward player, and Knicks fans should look for him to assume the starting point guard role. Why this isn’t an A is because they passed up on even better prospects such as Dennis Smith Jr. and Malik Monk, two players that are much more explosive and athletic and there’s a larger sample size of them playing. All three players fit the current needs of the Knicks, but Smith and Monk had far more production last year. It was a great pick, but it could’ve been even better.
Fit:
Team needs entering draft:
New York needed young talent at each of their guard spots and this pick fits that need. Ntilikina can play either guard position and he has plenty of versatility — offensively and defensively. Depending on what New York does with Derrick Rose, he will either be the starting point guard or the back up point guard upon arrival with the Knicks.
He’s not the most accomplished shooter, but he should be able to benefit immediately from the open shots he will get from Anthony and Porzingis, especially if his 43 percent three point stroke translates. Look for him to provide instant value defensively and flashes offensively.
“(New York) is a great organization. The New York Knicks have a great history. And they play basketball that brings championships.”
Damyean Dotson (44th pick), Shooting Guard, Houston
Grade: B-
Stats: 17.4 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 46.9 field goal percent, 44 three point percent
Analysis:
Dotson, after being a very solid player in college for Houston last season, has a chance to be an extremely valuable 3 and D player in the NBA. He has decent athleticism with the 38 inch vertical that he displayed at the combine, and he has good length with a 6’6” frame and a 6’9” wingspan.
He has great feet defensively and is active on and off the ball. His greatest attribute, however, is his catch and shoot ability, and when he’s hitting shots he can be a very viable offensive option. However, he’s not a very good shot creator for himself or anyone else, so it will diminish his value and likely put him in the G-League for a some time.
Ognjen Jaramaz (58th pick), point guard, Mega Leks of the Basketball League of Serbia
Grade: C
Stats: 14.5 points per game, 3.7 assists per game, 44.6% field goal percent , 35.9 three point percent
Analysis: Jaramaz is a solid European player, however, he doesn’t do anything at an NBA level and will likely be a draft and stash pick for the Knicks. As a point guard, he likes to push the tempo and is very aggressive, but he isn’t yet the most skilled player.
His jump shot is erratic and he doesn’t have elite vision. He had a strong showing at the Eurocamp and has a great motor defensively, which is what primarily got him drafted, but he likely won’t be competing on an NBA court anytime soon.
