The New York Knicks are toying between a defender and a point guard in the upcoming NBA Draft and their recent scheduled draft visits offer no sort of insight to which way the team is leaning. Phil Jackson told season-ticket holders that he liked the idea of drafting a defender with the No. 4 pick, but they continue to visit with point guards leading up to the NBA Draft. After getting linked to Justise Winslow, are the Knicks eyes Emmanuel Mudiay?
According to Adam Zagoria of SNY.TV, the Knicks are scheduled to work out Mudiay who also has visits lined up with the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, both which select before New York. At the moment, the Lakers do not appear to be a threat for the point guard as they can draft either Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns. The 76ers have been linked to both Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell, along with the Knicks. Either point guard would be considered a solid fit if the Knicks selected one.
According to ESPN New York's Ian Begley, the Knicks like what they see out of Mudiay despite the fact that he is a slight wild card having played overseas for the past few years. On the upside, Mudiay already have experience playing under NBA rules and professionals which could help his transition in the NBA, something Carmelo Anthony was concerned about.
The New York Daily News is reporting the Knicks are eyeing point guard and have yet to determine how they will go about it. The draft is certainly one option for the team, but that could leave them very young at that section of the roster. Jose Calderon and Langston Galloway are manning the point guard duties and if the veteran gets traded, the Knicks would have a second-year player and a rookie on the roster. That is not the most ideal situation.
The Knicks could also target trades and free agents for point guard help. According to the Denver Post, Ty Lawson will be available while the Detroit Free Press predicts Brandon Jennings is on his way out. Patrick Beverley will be a restricted free agent, while they could go big for Rajon Rondo. The Knicks have options that do not include the No. 4 draft pick. Jackson could easily continue with his plan to select a defender, while still being able to get an elite point guard another way.
