20. New York Knicks (via Blazers) – Terrance Ferguson, G/F, Adelaide 36ers
GM: Jonathan Macri; Twitter: @JCMacriNBA
In Ferguson, the Knicks are getting one of the true mystery men of the draft. Rather than go to college, he opted for the Brandon Jennings/Emmanuel Mudiay route and signed with an Australian pro team, playing a limited bench role last season. As a result, there’s not nearly as much tape on him as other top prospects. Still, what we know about him is enough to make this an easy choice.
At the very least, he profiles as a 3 and D wing – something that these Finals showed us is in higher demand than ever with players like Richard Jefferson and Patrick McCaw getting key minutes out of necessity. Along with Allan Crabbe, who the Knicks acquired along with this pick in exchange for Courtney Lee and Kyle O’Quinn, New York now has two such players on the roster.
More importantly, along with Dennis Smith, the Knicks continue to replenish the locker room with fresh faces after last season’s disaster. Along with their second round picks and wherever can be obtained in exchange for Anthony, it’s possible that the only holdovers of significance from last year will be KP and All-Rookie First Teamer Willy Hernangomez (and the contractual albatross that is Joakim Noah).
It’s a start. And with the Knicks, especially after last season, there’s nowhere to go but up.