Knicks Didn’t Get Zion But They’re Far From Being in a Terrible Position
Getting the third overall pick is a blessing in disguise for the Knicks
While NBA fans were getting ready for the “Curry Bowl,” the teams that fell out of the playoffs were getting ready for the NBA Draft Lottery. The New York Knicks — of course — were the focus of the lottery since they ended up being the worst team in the league. This would mean that they had a 14% chance of getting the number one overall pick and a 47.9% chance to get the fifth overall pick. That would mean they would fall no lower than the fifth pick.
Fans have been dreading up the day until the draft. New Yorkers had priests and rabbis praying that Zion Williamson — the Duke sensation and arguably the best generational prospect since LeBron James — falls into the lap of the Knicks. Fans built shrines and wore they’re perspective Knicks jerseys and doing whatever they can to land the number one overall pick. The City That Never Sleeps ended up being more restless than usual since they weren’t sure if anything they were doing would work. The Knicks haven’t had the number one overall pick since the 1985 NBA Draft when they drafted Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing. Heck, they even had the Knicks legend represent the team at the NBA Draft Lottery Show.
The best prospect they drafted since Ewing was Kristaps Porzingis and he was traded earlier this year after having a falling out with the organization. If they get Zion Williamson, their luck could finally turn around and things could be looking up for Madison Square Garden.
Sadly that didn’t come to pass and the Knicks ended up with the third overall pick.
Cue the Twitter memes and the jokes. All is lost. The Knicks are franchise forever cursed. They will never turn their luck around. Cancel the team.
Strangely enough, none offered any real perspective. Just rapid fire jokes.
Because if anyone paid attention, they would realize that having the third overall pick is actually a GOOD thing for the Knicks.
The Knicks could’ve ended up with the fifth overall pick — where many projected they’d end up due to the new lottery rules — and they beat the odds. They now can have their pick of either Ja Morant or RJ Barrett, two other prospects who may not be better than Zion but clearly have potential to be All Star caliber players. Depending as to who the Memphis Grizzlies choose between the two, the Knicks can end up with either prospect and that puts them in a good position this summer.
The pick gives the Knicks more options than they’ve had before. The team has a young core in place with a couple of worthy pieces in Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, Damyean Dotson, Frank Ntilikina, and Mitchell Robinson. If they add Ja Morant or RJ Barrett, they have an additional piece to add to their group. This puts them in prime position to continue to develop and ensure team chemistry is in place as they grow or use them in a trade package to get Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Since the Pelicans ended up with the number one overall pick this makes Davis more expendable. They don’t have to abide by his wishes. They can now trade him based on whatever they find is the best package available. All eyes are on the Los Angeles Lakers who ended up with the fourth overall pick but it’s unlikely that the Pelicans will trade them to a Western Conference rival (ask the San Antonio Spurs how they tried to abide by Kawhi Leonard’s wishes when he requested to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers and instead got shipped to Canada). So they may trade him to the East and pick up Zion’s Duke running mate in RJ Barrett. Meanwhile, Davis can end up on a team of his choosing. Win-Win situation.
The Knicks can also see if they can make a trade for other players like Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards if the Davis trade fails. Beal is likely going to ask out of Washington, D.C. since that team has no direction. Knicks general manager Scott Perry can pick up the phone and see what would be offered to trade for Beal. If not Beal, then expect Perry to continue to see what other trades he can pull off.
Speaking of the prospects, keeping them wouldn’t be so bad either. Ja Morant impressed many during his spectacular play during this year’s March Madness. He’s clearly the best point guard (oh sorry… “Point GOD”) in the draft. He definitely can make the right plays, has a scorer’s touch, and a good feel for the game.
“Ja’s a point guard who is athletic as sh– and can score, and I don’t know if that’s his best skill. I think passing is his best skill,” a scout told to NY Post writer Zach Braziller. “He’s got no fear of passing. He’ll throw it where he thinks you’re going to be, and he’s not scared to throw it, and more times than not, he’s right.”
Meanwhile, RJ Barrett is the kind of versatile wing the Knicks need. Since Porzingis is gone, they will eventually need a player to serve as the “alpha” on the team. Barrett can be that player since he has solid athleticism, can run the point, and an aggressive scorer. He may not be other worldly like his former Duke running mate Zion but he wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize either.
“Tell me a big wing who comes in the league and scores right away. I think he’s as good as [Andrew] Wiggins [was coming out of college],” one scout said to Braziller. “He’s not going to disappoint no matter what he does. He can rebound the ball, he can make plays off the wing. I don’t want him to be my primary ball-handler, but you get him the ball, he’s going to make plays.”
It’s disappointing that Zion didn’t end up in New York. Heck, it sounded like he was disappointed himself since playing at the Mecca of Basketball would’ve been a lot of fun for him and the fans.
It is what it is but at least this gives the Knicks the kind of options they have been looking for. It’s been a while since they actually have a chance to make an impact. Not everything needs to happen in one summer. Besides, if the rumors are true and Kevin Durant comes to MSG, then they have a young, energetic prospect in the draft plus the best player in the world. And this might’ve been swept under the rug but the team also receives Dallas Mavericks’ picks.
Things aren’t perfect but it’s better than walking away another year empty handed. The best NBA teams make work with the hand their dealt with and the Knicks have a solid deck of cards even if it isn’t a “full house.” The Knicks may have lost the “Zion sweepstakes” but they didn’t end up empty handed. There are plenty of reasons to feel good as a Knicks fan.
*additional content by the Ringer, NY Post, ESPN, SNY, SBNation
