The New York Knicks are a team that many people are going to have their eye on once the 2022 NBA Draft rolls around. New York is in the market for a point guard and will look to obtain one in any way that they can.
Finding a veteran seems to be the likeliest outcome. That could require them to part ways with their first-round draft pick, No. 11 overall. It could be used as a sweetener to clear some cap space to be buyers in free agency or as part of a package to land said the starting point guard.
Another position that the team could be in the market for this offseason is at center. Starting center Mitchell Robinson is heading into unrestricted free agency and the two sides have been pretty far apart on contract negotiations thus far.
There is a real chance that Robinson will sign a deal elsewhere. The Knicks have the depth to overcome a loss, as Jericho Sims was a revelation as a rookie. Nerlens Noel is still under contract, as is Taj Gibson. But, the team could look for a long-term option with a little more upside. Could they find that player with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft?
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Depending on how the board falls, there is a good chance the Knicks could have their choice of the top centers in this the 2022 NBA Draft class. Over at Sports Illustrated, the Knicks landed Mark Williams out of Duke with the 11th overall pick. Here is what Jeremy Woo said about the selection.
“Rival teams tend to think the Knicks will target a big or a point guard in the draft, although their search for the latter may be more likely to arrive in the form of veteran help…
Williams has a chance to leapfrog [Jalen] Duren on draft night due to his reliability, defensive impact and sheer size: he measured at 7′ 2″ in shoes at the combine with a 7′ 6.5″ wingspan and 9′ 9″ standing reach. He’d be a long-term upgrade at the position with Mitchell Robinson about to hit free agency and give the Knicks some legitimate interior backbone.”
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Targeting a center is something that could lead to some people scratching their heads, but they have to be prepared for Robinson to leave in free agency. If the New York Knicks think he will be on his way out, targeting a center makes sense, as they can then focus their efforts on finding a veteran point guard in free agency,
There is a lot to like from Mark Williams, who could offer a similar impact right off the bat that Mitchell Robinson was but at a fraction of the price for the next four seasons.
