New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft: Finding the next Nikola Jokic
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft: #8 Pick
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Power Forward/ USC. New York Knicks. Onyeka Okongwu. 8. player. 27
Like the Pistons, the Knicks were hoping to move up in the draft, not down, as both are desperate for any type of talent.
Also like the Pistons, the Knicks could end up getting a guy they like anyway, though they will almost certainly inquire about what it would take to move up to the number one spot and choose LaMelo Ball.
Okongwu is one of the most talented players on the board, and also one of the most likely to contribute right away in an NBA rotation.
He can defend the rim, run the floor and has a decent shooting stroke for his size, which makes him a candidate to be a stretch-five in the future.
The Knicks could go a lot of ways with this pick, as they could use a point guard and Cole Anthony might have the type of swagger they like.
But in the end Okongwu is a potential top-five talent in this draft, and if he falls this far, the Knicks can’t pass him up.