Prospects the New York Knicks should target in the 2021 NBA Draft
The Knicks have four draft picks for the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft, and after coin flips to determine tie-breakers, each pick has been made definite. They will have the 19th and 21st picks in the first round in a very shooter-filled draft. With these two I’d like to see them draft a big man and a shooter.
There are several names that really stand out to me, but I think at 19, if he’s still on the board, Ayo Dosunmu needs to be the move. He’s a big-time shot-maker, a lengthy guard who can handle the ball and can add huge depth for the position they’re lacking the most if you can sign a veteran as well. Dosunmu has been a stud at Illinois over the past couple of years, making a push for National Player of the Year for the 1-seeded Fighting Illini.
If Dosunmu is gone, some talented shooters in the 19-21 range to look at can be Jaden Springer of Tennessee, Jared Butler of Baylor, Tre Mann of Florida, and Chris Duarte of Oregon. For me, Butler tops this list, as he’s been an elite two-way guard for his entire Baylor career and is coming off of a National Championship.
Some big men that will be available in the 19-21 range are Charles Bassey of Western Kentucky, Day’Ron Sharpe of North Carolina, and Alperen Sengun from Turkey. I’d like to see the Knicks grab one of these shooters and one of these big men with their two first-rounders.
2020-21 was nothing short of a successful year for New York and one that gives them a golden chance to improve big time and create a real contender for next season. The draft picks are there, the money is freed up, and the young core is coming together, the only thing left now is to make the right moves.
As a die-hard Knicks fan I trust in Thibs, Leon Rose, and Scott Perry to get the job done this summer and create a title contender in New York in the coming years.