In their latest mock draft, ESPN sees Oklahoma PG Trae Young going to the Knicks at No. 9 overall.
Young, known for his ability to score from virtually anywhere on the floor, comes out of Oklahoma with Freshman of the Year honors after leading the NCAA in points (27.4) and assists (8.7). Though ESPN's Kevin Pelton believe he has defense needs work, his offensive capabilities makes him too enticing for the Knicks as he falls down the draft board.
"I've alerady passed a couple of times on Young, the third-ranked prospect in my projections," Pelton wrote. "But this point in the draft, however, any concerns about how he'll hold up defensively are more than outweighed by Young's massive offensive potential. Mikal Bridges is the only other player I'd consider here, and Young is an easy choice over him."
But what about the slew of Knicks guards already on the roster, including 2017 first-round PG Frank Ntilikina. Well, if the Knicks decide to take Young, Pelton believes that means Ntilikina isn't playing floor general any longer.
"Drafting Young would surely mean moving last year's No. 8 pick, Frank Ntilikina, off the point for good," Pelton says. "The Knicks would have a logjam at the position, having added former lottery picks Trey Burke and Emmanuel Mudiay midway through last season with mixed results (Burke excelled off the bench in a role similar to the one Young could play; Mudiay was ineffective). Still, again, the value on Young at this stage of the draft is too good to pass up."
Knicks head coach David Fizdale has already made it a point that his guards aren't secluded to one of the backcourt positions on the floor, but rather, he'd use them as he sees fit. For Ntilikina's sake, at 6-foot-6, he has the length to match up with taller two-guards.
The Knicks have already worked out Young, who said everything about New York would be amazing if were to be drafted by them.
"Just the history, the tremendous history, the tremendous fan base, everything about New York," he told SNY contributor Adam Zagoria. "This is the Mecca of basketball. I just love how much of a basketball city this is, so the thought of coming here would be pretty cool."
He also said he has no problem working alongside the other guards on the Knicks, and is willing to do whatever the team needs him to.
"I think I can fit in with whatever organization I go to," Young said. "I think with the Knicks, however coach Fiz and everybody sees me fitting in, they're going to make the right decision so I leave it all up to them."