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NBA: Predicting the 2019 draft lottery teams

By Colin Cann

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Kevin Knox poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 21: Kevin Knox poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

3. New York Knicks

Kevin Knox is looking like a steal already at 9th overall. Summer League is not the NBA though, Knox is still only 18 years old and NBA veterans are a lot faster and stronger than most Summer League hopefuls.

Age aside, he should still have the green light early, with resident star Kristaps Porzinigis recovering from an ACL tear until at least Christmas time. The New York Knicks will not be rushing Porzingis back from injury until he’s 100 percent. The possibility of him missing the entire season is not out of the question.

KP is not only instrumental to their offense but might be their best defender as well, certainly their best rim protector. With Knox, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Mario Hezonja likely taking a fair share of the possessions, efficiency may be an issue for the Knicks. Hardaway fired a whopping 7.2 3’s per game last season, only connecting on 31 percent. Hezonja, recently acquired on a one-year deal, has only shot 41 percent from the floor and 33 percent from beyond the arc for his career.

Defense and offense will be an issue next year, especially adapting to newly signed head coach David Fizdales system. The longer KP is out the lower they could fall on this list.

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