Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes, USA Today Sports

19th pick: Sharife Cooper, point guard (Auburn)

Cooper only played 12 games this season due to a holdup with the NCAA, is undersized and didn't shoot a high percentage in college. But he put up big numbers in a small sample size, averaging 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game. A highly ranked recruit out of high school, Cooper is very quick and crafty with the ball. He could be a good option for any team looking to push the pace in their second unit.

21st pick: Isaiah Jackson, power forward/center (Kentucky)

Jackson would give the Knicks another shot-blocking big man to fortify their defense. A big-time rim protector, Jackson averaged 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman at Kentucky. He can also rebound well and will have to play around the basket, at least early in his career, since he lacks an outside shot.

Raphielle Johnson, NBC Sports EDGE

19^th pick: Trey Murphy, shooting guard (Virginia)

The Knicks are in need of sharpshooting wings and, with regard to this draft class, Murphy is one of the best. In his lone season at Virginia he was a 50-40-90 player, while also being a solid defender. Evaluating draft prospects out of Virginia based on their stats alone can be a fool's errand, as the Cavaliers traditionally play at one of the slowest paces in college basketball. So while Murphy was a modest scorer (11.3 ppg) last season, that should not overshadow how efficient he was. At 6-foot-9 he has very good size for an NBA wing, and the catch-and-shoot ability would help with the fit alongside Julius Randle.

21^st pick: Chris Duarte, shooting guard (Oregon)

As noted above, the Knicks need wings. Alec Burks and Reggie Bullock will both be unrestricted free agents, and Frank Ntilikina will be one of the restricted variety. Duarte, an experienced guard who's capable of making plays on the ball or playing off of it in a supplementary role, is also an active defender who averaged 1.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game last season. Duarte's versatility is one of his greatest strengths, along with the perimeter shooting ability (42.4% on 5.5 3-point attempts per game). If the Knicks can get him here, they should not hesitate to make the pick.

Scott Gleeson, USA Today

19^th pick: Cameron Thomas, guard (LSU)

An explosive scorer, Thomas averaged 23 points a game for the Tigers and erupted for a bundle of 30-plus scoring nights. He had the ball in his hands a lot at LSU but he'll have to find a way to make an impact when he's not scoring at will at the pro level.

21^st pick: Tre Mann, guard (Florida)

Mann is the type of point guard who can play on and off the ball, which could be a nice fit in New York. He shot 40% from beyond the arc at Florida and is used to a physical style.

Zach Harper, The Athletic

19^th pick: Jared Butler, guard (Baylor)

Feels like a perfect marriage between what Tom Thibodeau would want to coach and what the New York Knicks need for their depth issues. It’s possible they’ll resolve those depth issues in the backcourt with re-signing their own free agents. Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock are all free agents. Frank Ntilikina could be a restricted free agent. It’s why I love the idea of bringing Butler into the mix for the Knicks at No. 19. This is all assuming Butler receives a clean bill of health.

Tenacious on-ball defender and he can shoot the ball. That’s exactly what the Knicks want and what they need moving forward. Butler doesn’t have great size for a versatile guard, but he’s good enough defensively to compete against multiple positions. He’s so good in the pick-and-roll, and while he’s not great getting to the hoop, he’s fantastic pulling up for that jumper. Bringing back Rose and having Immanuel Quickley and Butler as your main attacking guards would be fun.

21^st pick: Jaden Springer, guard (Tennessee)

With Ziaire Williams off the board, Jaden Springer makes a ton of sense. The Knicks have so many perimeter spots potentially open due to free agency. I think Springer will really be able to shoot the ball at the NBA level, and he has good evidence to suggest that to be the case. I doubt he’ll be much more of an offensive player than a catch-and-shoot guy, but he’ll make up for that with his defense. He’s the perfect type of wing for Tom Thibodeau if they keep this pick.

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report

19^th pick: Sharife Cooper, point guard (Auburn)

Though he only played 12 games, Cooper was on pace to become the fifth college player (minimum 20 games) to register a 50.0 assist percentage, per Sports Reference. His 8.1 assists per game would have ranked second in Division I if he had enough games to qualify.

21^st pick: Chris Duarte, shooting guard (Oregon)

At some point in the first round, Duarte's age becomes less of a turnoff. The 23-year-old shooting guard just shot 63.1 percent inside the arc, 42.4 percent from three and 81.0 percent from the free-throw line while registering an outstanding 3.4 steal percentage. It's worth questioning his window to improve from here, but based on his efficient execution as a self-creator into jumpers, downhill driver past ball screens, versatile shooter and tough defender, teams should see a useful rotation player for 2021-22.

19th pick: Sharife Cooper, point guard (Auburn)

21st pick: Isaiah Jackson, power forward/center (Kentucky)

19th pick: Trey Murphy, shooting guard (Virginia)

21st pick: Chris Duarte, shooting guard (Oregon)

19th pick: Cameron Thomas, guard (LSU)

21st pick: Tre Mann, guard (Florida)

19th pick: Jared Butler, guard (Baylor)

21st pick: Jaden Springer, guard (Tennessee)

19th pick: Sharife Cooper, point guard (Auburn)

21st pick: Chris Duarte, shooting guard (Oregon)

19^th pick: Trey Murphy, shooting guard (Virginia)

21^st pick: Chris Duarte, shooting guard (Oregon)

19^th pick: Cameron Thomas, guard (LSU)

21^st pick: Tre Mann, guard (Florida)

19^th pick: Jared Butler, guard (Baylor)

21^st pick: Jaden Springer, guard (Tennessee)

19^th pick: Sharife Cooper, point guard (Auburn)

21^st pick: Chris Duarte, shooting guard (Oregon)

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