New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft 2020: Final Edition

8 of 22

Onyeka Okongwu is a nice fit on the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks pick #8

Scouting Report. Center/ USC. New York Knicks. player. 27. Pick Analysis. Onyeka Okongwu. 8

The Knicks could definitely go for a wing here but decide that Okongwu’s talent is too much to pass up.

The Knicks don’t really need a center or another power forward but Okongwu is the best player available and it would allow them to potentially make some trades.

The Knicks could make Mitchell Robinson or Kevin Knox available in a trade and bring back some players who are a better fit around Okongwu and RJ Barrett.

The Knicks would love to get a point guard here but with Hayes, Haliburton and Ball already off the board, they will take a risk on talent over fit.

If Wiseman or Okongwu fall this far, the Knicks would probably think about trading down, as they could find a team looking for a big who might give up an asset to get the best one.

Okongwu should be a great defender and rim protector if nothing else, and if his offensive game continues to evolve, he could easily be the best player in this draft. Will he fall this far? Unlikely, but the Knicks may be in the driver’s seat for a trade if one of Wiseman or Okongwu falls.