NBA Draft 2023: Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson leads January mock draft

19. New York Knicks – Dariq Whitehead – Duke – 6’7, 220 lbs – August 2004

It feels like the Knicks have taken big-name college players, and while Whitehead isn’t having the best statistical season, he was a projected lottery pick entering the year.

After looking slow coming off of injury, Whitehead put together an impressive four-game spurt in double digits. Ideally, Whitehead is a plus defender that can hit enough spot-up threes and score off of cuts and in transition to stick in a rotation. Whitehead is currently at a sub-optimal 37% from the field and 33% from deep, but his 90% from the free throw line offers some signs of optimism as a shooter. I thought he looked a little heavy when I saw him in November, so he will need to regain his strength and athleticism. With a veteran-heavy roster, the Knicks can afford to send him to Westchester and let him grow, hopefully coming closer to the top-five prospect in his class he was once.

20. New York Knicks (Via Dallas Mavericks) – Leonard Miller – G-League Ignite – 6’10, 211 lbs – November 2003

With their second pick in the first round, the Knicks dig into the Ignite well for Miller. A rangy forward, Miller thrived on the ball in Scoot Henderson’s month-long absence. He’s got some interesting on-ball stuff with his handle and passing ability. He isn’t a great shooter from deep, but his improvements are noticeable.

Miller’s efficiency and numbers scoring the ball have been good to see and I’m curious to watch his role reshape with the addition of Henderson back into the lineup. At his size, there are a bunch of different things Miller can do to contribute, even if he is just a connecting piece at first.

21. Sacramento Kings – Kris Murray – Iowa – 6’8, 215 lbs – August 2000

What’s better than one Murray? Two! The upstart kings reunite the Murray brothers here, while simultaneously adding to their wing/frontcourt depth.

Kris is having a similar statistical season to that of Keegan last year. He does a little bit of everything on offense: shoots it from deep, takes slow-footed bigs off the bounce, and posts-up mismatches. He’s rebounding exceptionally and can theoretically guard threes and fours.

Kris is just a little less athletic than Keegan and plays with less of a motor. But he does so many things well at his size it’s hard to envision him completely failing.