WSJ: Knicks will probably take a nobody at 24

Carl Herrera · Jun 23, 2013

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...563852911319258.html?KEYWORDS=MICHAEL+SALFINO

NBA general managers can't even agree on a player worthy of the top pick in Thursday's NBA draft. Pity the poor Knicks, who have to wait all the way until the 24th selection. History suggests hitting the jackpot this late is a long shot any year, never mind in a draft that's considered relatively weak.

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Associated Press
New Jersey Nets' Nenad Krstic

Since 2002, only one player drafted 24th has averaged more than 10 points per game in his career, Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (drafted in 2006 by Memphis). Thunder forward's Serge Ibaka's rebounding and shot blocking have made him a valuable starter, too. Center Nenad Krstic drafted by the Nets in 2002, has the most career starts (373) but no longer plays in the NBA. No other player drafted 24th overall in the period has averaged even five rebounds or four assists, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

Former Knicks all-star Latrell Sprewell was drafted 24th overall by the Warriors in 1992. The Knicks have struck out their three prior attempts from this slot—Monty Williams (1994), Gary Gregor (1967) and Tony Jackson (1961).

But good news for the Knicks is that there have been some finds at point guard, a position of need with Jason Kidd now coaching the Nets and the status of Pablo Prigioni unclear. The four players drafted 24th with the most career games are all point guards—Terry Porter, Derek Fisher, Sam Cassell and Brian Shaw. The Knicks have also worked out a number of perimeter scorers. One rumored pure-point guard with catch-and-shoot ability is 6-foot-4 Nate Wolters of South Dakota State. Whoever the Knicks select better pan out—next year, they don't even have a first-round pick.
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Quality sports journalism. Did the Wall Street Journal outsource its NBA coverage to Bleacher Report?

apollo33 · Jun 23, 2013

Lol what the hell did I just read.

TheFreak · Jun 23, 2013

Damn, how many times is this board going to make me bring this back?

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Jontro · Jun 23, 2013

Aint nobody got time for dat.

basketballholic · Jun 23, 2013

If I were the Knicks I'd draft Ledo and plug him in with the starters at the point. Huge risk, yes. But they aren't winning a championship without taking a major risk. It would be pick #24. I don't think there'll be a better basketball player available at that spot. And Ledo is hometown born and bred. Draft him, plug him in. He'll either be a star or a bust.

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