In Chad Ford’s latest mock draft the New York Knicks don’t select a traditional point guard. Instead, they take Kentucky’s Malik Monk.
ESPN’s draft expert Chad Ford released his latest 2017 NBA Mock Draft, and it contained a shakeup with the New York Knicks selection. In Ford’s last mock he had the Knicks choosing North Carolina’s Dennis Smith Jr. The new one doesn’t have them taking a point guard at all.The Knicks don’t address their biggest positional need and instead select Kentucky’s Malik Monk. The combo guard has been compared to ex-Knick Jamal Crawford.
Ford summarizes the pick:
The Knicks are looking at a number of backcourt players, including Monk, Smith and Frank Ntilikina.
Monk may be the highest upside player and best fit of the group. If he lands here, Knicks fans will love him when he heats up.
Smith goes off the board at No. 9 to the equally point guard starved Dallas Mavericks and Frank Ntilikina is selected 10th by the Sacramento Kings. Poor Frank.
Something else worth noting for Knicks fans: Ford has rumored target Justin Jackson slipping all the way to No. 21. He’s expected to be a late lottery selection.
Perhaps New York could get the former North Carolina Tar Heel with one of Portland’s late first-round picks.
The Knicks interest in Monk has been apparent since the beginning of the draft process. He’s probably the best three-point shooter in the draft, and he feels like a Knick.
The experts feel the same. DraftExpress and NBADraft.net both have Monk going at No. 8.