The New York Knicks will also have a second round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Knicks will be picking with the 37th overall pick. The Knicks will still have their eyes on some potential targets and will most likely bring them in for individual workouts between now and the draft. Here are 5 potential Knicks second round targets with their strengths, weaknesses, and potential fit with the team.
1 : SG Grayson Allen – Duke
Strengths :
Grayson Allen is a 6’4” 200 lb shooting guard from Duke University. He had a phenomenal run in the NCAA Tournament his freshman year. Grayson is a 4 year player at Duke which you don’t see often at the college level. He is a hardworking and competitive player with a very high basketball IQ which you would expect from someone playing with Coach K for 4 years. Grayson Allen has a high motor and high energy who makes the hustle plays in the most important situations. Allen is an offensive weapon who can shoot from anywhere on the floor and can also create for himself off the dribble. Grayson is a deadly long range shooter when given space and was an excellent free throw shooter in his college career while shooting 84% from the free throw line.
Weaknesses :
Well Grayson Allen is an offensive weapon he lacks a little bit on the defensive side of the ball. Grayson won’t blow you away on the athleticism side or with the lateral quickness part of his game but he grinds on the defensive end with his energy and hustle. Grayson at times will put up some questionable shots but in the offense he was playing in at Duke he was the focal point for defenses’s so he didn’t have much space to create for himself. Allen could improve his rebounding skills with his size and playing the shooting guard position. Grayson also had a bad reputation in college with some off his on court actions resulting in suspension from the team.
Potential Fit :
Grayson Allen will be a good role player in the NBA on any team. NBA coaches will be excited to coach a kid who plays with so much energy. Allen could be a nice back up guard on the Knicks with his ability to stretch the floor and create for others. Allen could be in contention for 6th man of the year awards in the future if he can improve on the defensive end and work hard in practice to show the coaches he deserves the playing time. Having Allen on the bench with the likes of Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Michael Beasley(if he resigns) would help the second unit of the Knicks tremendously.
2 : SG Hamidou Diallo – Kentucky
Strengths :
Hamidou Diallo is a 6’6” 200 lb shooting guard from Kentucky University. Hamidou is just a freshman but he enrolled at Kentucky in the middle of the season last year and he was able to do the combine to see what scouts had to say about what he needed to improve and then went back to school to officially play his freshman season. Diallo is super athletic and lengthy with a 7’0” wingspan which could be a difference maker at the next level. Diallo has superb lateral quickness which will make him a game changer on the defensive end. He also is great in transition getting to the basket and scoring in the mid range. Diallo has huge upside if he can put it all together.
Weaknesses :
Hamidou Diallo had an up and down year at Kentucky with his lack of ability to be consistent game after game. Diallo’s offensive game is very raw he needs to work on becoming a better all around shooter, free throw shooter, and most importantly his ball handling skills which would help him create for himself. While Diallo has the potential to be a great one on one defender his team defense and off the ball defense is poor. Diallo will have to come in and grind at the next level to reach his huge potential but if he puts in the work he has the talent to be a great player.
Potential Fit :
Hamidou Diallo is a New York City kid so playing for the New York Knicks would be a dream come true and a homecoming for him. Diallo will need a couple years to develop into his full potential while he is only 19 years old. Diallo will have to come in and start working right away on his overall game. If Diallo can improve his offensive game and become a more team defender he has the potential to be a starter in this league for years to come. The Knicks could work with Diallo for a couple of years and have him come off the bench to get a feel for the game and a sense for what he has to improve on. The Knicks could wind up with a steal if Diallo is still on the board in the second rounf and he reaches his potential.
3 : PG Jevon Carter – West Virginia
Strengths :
Jevon Carter is a 6’2” 205 lb point guard from West Virginia. Carter is 23 years old already and is not very high on many peoples draft boards. The difference with Carter for me is that you know what you are getting from him day in and day out. Jevon is not great offensively but Carter is a very capable shooter from mid range and long range while also being a consistent free throw shooter. Carter is a dog on defense and that is his calling card. Jevon was one of the best defenders in college the past couple of seasons while being the point guard on a press team.
Weaknesses :
While Carter is 23 years old he isn’t the young athlete with enormous potential like everyone see’s now a days. Carter doesn’t have the quickest first step which causes him to have to force some things on the offensive end with questionable shots. Carter won’t blow you off the charts with his numbers or with his athletiscism. By the standards in the draft process Carter would be considered a late bloomer because of his age and when he hit his peak in college.
Potential Fit :
Jevon Carter is one of those guys that you would love to have on your team. He will come in and grind everyday in practice and on the court. Well Carter may not be a starting point guard in this league he would be a nice back up point guard for any team. Carter can bring you that tough defense along with the ability to run an offense. Carter will come in right away and be able to contribute. The Knicks could use a guard who plays tough defense and can bring that energy to practice and around the team. David Fizdale would love to have a guy like Carter at his disposal off the bench.
4 : SF Keita Bates-Diop – Ohio State
Strengths :
Keita Bates-Diop is a 6’8” 235 lb small forward from Ohio State University. Keita was one of the most versitale players in college last season with his ability to play multiple positions. He is a guy who can score from anywhere on the floor. While he excels in the post, he can also take his game out to the three point line. Keita is also a consistent free throw shooter. He is a good defender with his size and length. He is an above average rebounder for his position with his long arms and high basketball IQ. Keita has the potential to be a good wing defender at the next level due to his length.
Weaknesses :
While Keita is an offensive weapon he can get streaky at times when he is to focused on just scoring and not moving the ball. While not having a quick first step he can also struggle creating his own shot. Quicker players at the next level could give him fits due to his lack of details and lapses on the defensive end of the court. While Keita doesn’t stand out with one skill in particular he is a swiss army knife with the fact that he can do all things good.
Potential Fit :
Depending on where the New York Knicks go in the first round there is a need at the SF and PF position for New York. Keita will be a good role player for the Knicks off the bench. When he is in the game the offense or defense won’t miss a beat with his abilities to defend at a high level and having the offense run through him. With the coaching of NBA coaches at the next level he should be able to be a consistent defender. Keita could be a diamond in the rough in this draft class with his abilities to do everything that is asked of him. Keita could also play the SF or PF position in todays NBA with his versitility.
5 : PF/C Omari Spellman – Villanova
Strengths :
Omari Spellman is a 6’9” 250 lb power forward from Villanova. While Spellman was a redshirt freshman last season he stared on Villanova. Spellman is still a very raw prospect with a huge upside. Omari is a fairly good scorer with the ability to stretch the floor and scoring on the move which is key in todays game. Spellman has the tools to be an elite defender at the next level with his quick hands, shot blocking, above average rebounding, and his athleticism. He also has great length/size and a huge wingspan to play inside and be a good pick and roll defender. Spellman has the tools of a starter at the next level if he puts in the work to reach his potential.
Weaknesses :
While like any other freshman to come to the combine and even stay in the draft they all have weaknesses. Omari Spellman can either reach his potential or not reach his potential which is the big question mark on a freshman. If Spellman can recreate what he did in colege under Jay Wright then Spellman could have a great career.
Potential Fit :
Personally I would love if the Knicks could land Spellman in the secoond round. Spellman would be an amazing piece to pair with Kristaps Porzingis. If Fizdale moves Porzingis to the center position full time pairing Spellman with him at the PF position could be the future in New York. Spellman can stretch the floor and can be the guy who does it all for the Knicks. If the Knicks land Mikal Bridges in the first round of the draft and pairing him with his teammate Spellman could be good for the both of them. David Fizdale could do a lot of things with Spellman in the rotation.
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