Auburn’s Isaac Okoro may not be the first name New York Knicks fans are thinking of in bringing to the 2020 NBA Draft, but according to the New York Post, the athletic striker “has support among the Knicks” as a possible choice.
The Knicks will select eighth place after dropping from sixth in the lottery draw last week. Locked in several slots under the top picks, where top prospects like LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards will likely be taken, the field is wide open for who New York could select (assuming they keep the pick), so expect the team to rate a broad range of players.
Okoro is a 1.8 meter tall forward of enormous size and strength for his age. He is considered a “handyman” according to the scouting report at The Stepien. However, it does not meet some of the more pressing needs on the Knicks’ roster, such as shooting (only shot 28.6% from deep at Auburn) or directing skill.
The Knicks, however, have access to more ways to upgrade their point guard position and add perimeter shooting. Team president Leon Rose also has a late pick in the first round (27th) and an early pick in the second round (38th) to work with. And today it was reported that New York should be the suitors for Toronto guard and future free agent Fred VanVleet. Depending on where the limit is, the Knicks could have nearly $ 50 million in cap this offseason.
In addition to Okoro, a SNY report circulated last week that Florida State’s Devin Vassell has fans at Madison Square Garden. Perhaps a trend is emerging in the new front office that focuses on versatile defenders early on.