NBA Draft 2020: Matching top prospects with needs of top lottery teams
By Tim Edmonds
New York Knicks: Franchise Centerpiece — Guard Lamelo Ball, llawarra Hawks
After striking out in free agency last summer, the New York Knicks need a new direction and leader of their franchise on the court.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving didn’t walk through those doors to play in Madison Square Garden, and it’s unlikely Giannis Antetokounmpo will be next summer either. The Knicks have built a decent foundation around R.J. Barrett and other prospects and now is their chance to swing for the fences and build for the future — now looking at this draft, their ideal player is undoubtedly LaMelo Ball.
Playing briefly in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) for the Illawarra Hawks, Ball showcased exactly why NBA teams should take a shot on him in the lottery this fall.
Standing 6’6 with NBA range and athleticism, he fits the mold of the modern point guard in today’s league. Putting up averages of 17 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game against professional competition in Australia, Ball could slide in and instantly start for a Knicks team with plenty of questions and no answers at the point guard position — as Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Nilitikina have both struggled immensely following being selected in the lottery.
With Ball and R.J. Barrett as building blocks for the future, and the hopeful development of forward Kevin Knox under new head coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks could build for contention the right way going forward with a balanced and exciting young core under team control for years to come.