The 2024 NBA Draft is approaching and the possibilities abound for the New York Knicks.
The Knicks own the 24th and 25th picks in the first round of this year’s draft. And while the Knicks are reportedly exploring trades with those picks, they may simply keep them and use them to fill out their depth.
TO New mock draft from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo has the Knicks using those picks to take a center and a point guard.
The mock draft shows the Knicks selecting Baylor center Yves Missi with the 24th pick. Woo writes that Missi has an intriguing physical profile at 6-foot-11, 230 pounds and could be a lock should the center of the Knicks, Isaiah Hartestein, leaves in free agency.
With the 25th pick, ESPN projects the Knicks will select Marquette point guard Tyler Kolek. Woo writes that Kolek has “experience, playmaking ability and intense competitiveness” that could earn him backup minutes with Tom Thibodeau. Woo points out that Kolek is not a great defender or an athlete, but he plays hard anyway.
Both players could be useful for the Knicks. If the Knicks re-sign Hartenstein, they believe they will have plenty of depth at center, with Mitchell Robinson still on the roster and a team option for Jericho Sims. However, both Hartenstein and Robinson suffered injuries in the 2023-24 season, so having more bodies could be important.
Backup point guard remains something of a hole for the Knicks. Miles McBride stepped up and had an incredibly productive season off the bench after the Knicks traded Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby. However, McBride is more of a scorer and killer and less of a natural playmaker. Although Kolek probably wouldn’t come in and immediately command the second unit, he could develop that role.
Other expert mock drafts had the Knicks selecting players like Purdue center Zach Edey and Miami wing Kyshawn George.
There is still almost a month until the draft and things are likely to change quickly, especially for an active team like the Knicks.
Review the ESPN’s full mock draft here >
