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.