The Knicks are reportedly interested in Duke guard Luke Kennard with the No. 8 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Luke Kennard is one of the more polarizing prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft. He’s typically viewed as a late lottery selection to mid-20s. Never in the top ten. The guy has his flaws.
He’ll struggle on defense, and he won’t be much of a finisher at the rim. However, the draft rumor madness continued with a report from ESPN’s Chad Ford (via Bleacher Report) saying the Knicks are considering Kennard with their No. 8 overall pick.
Via Bleacher Report:
“Right now it looks like the Pistons at No. 12 are Kennard’s floor,” Ford wrote. “But he could go higher. The Knicks, according to a team source, are seriously considering taking him at No. 8. And a Lakers source said he’d be a favorite if the team ends up with a second pick in the top 10.”
The eighth pick seems like a massive reach for Kennard. Like many reports leading up to the draft, it could just be smoke and mirrors.
A general manager with a late lottery pick: “There’s no way he gets to us,” per Ford. “I don’t think there’s any way he’s out of the top 10. We think he’s the best shooter in the draft.”
Now that sounds like nonsense right there. I mean Kennard is probably the best shooter in the draft, but to say there’s no way he makes it to the late lottery is pretty crazy.
The fan reaction won’t be great if Phil Jackson decided to take Kennard. There’s a stigma attached to pro prospects from Duke. Especially guards who can’t play defense. Kennard will carry that.
