After multiple spot-on draft selections in 2020 and 2021 set the Knicks up for their best stretch in recent franchise history, New York should look to recreate that success this year. They have back-to-back late first-round picks at Nos. 24 and 25, plus the 38th overall pick, and have been relatively inactive in the past two drafts.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of the Knicks’ potential draft picks, moving on to Purdue’s Zach Edey.
The arguments for drafting Edey
If the Knicks are looking for a high-risk, high-reward swing, who better than the most decorated player in this draft class? Edey stands 7 feet tall and weighs 300 pounds with a soft touch to match his historically imposing frame.
Edey unanimously won National Player of the Year honors in consecutive college seasons, the first to do so in 50 years, while shooting 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per night on 62.3 percent from the field. His impact around the rim became the centerpiece of Purdue’s game plan and helped lead them to the National Championship Game.
Edey is a gifted post-up player and can back up to the rim from almost any starting point, get to a reliable jump hook, work his way to a corner or simply jump into action for the finish. Despite his gigantic physique and lack of twitches, Edey produces a large number of efficient buckets with relative ease thanks to his strength and touch.
Obviously the NBA is more of a pick-and-roll game for the centers, but Edey should thrive there despite fewer opportunities at Purdue. He can one or two dribble his way into a spot and rise above 99 percent of defenders to find his look.
When he is near the restricted area he is a strong finisher, requiring little effort to get above the rim. This makes him a viable lob threat, as long as it doesn’t require too much north-south explosion.
His size also helps him attack the boards, as evidenced by his numbers on the glass. Once again, his soft hands and legitimate foundations shine here, perhaps even more than his stature.
The same applies defensively. Edey knows how to read fouls effectively and get between the ball and the rim, and when he gets there, good luck finishing.
Edey’s massive 7-foot wingspan swallows the field, and he uses it sharply, vertically, and without error. He averaged just 1.9 fouls per night while blocking 2.2 shots, doesn’t gamble and moves his feet well despite lacking a burst.
There are other options here too. Edey’s showed hints on a jumper and some playmaking.
His form is fluid and translates at the free throw line at a 71.1 percent clip on high volume. He averaged just two assists with a negative assist-to-turnover ratio, but showed the ability to anticipate help and read things with ease.
There’s a real chance the Knicks will be in need of a center this offseason, with two of them hitting free agency and another constantly recovering. If they decide to address this need through draft, taking on Edey and his tremendous collegiate production is worth considering.
The case against drafting Edey
Edey certainly looked at the role for Purdue, but some things are going to change for him. First, not only can he play drop coverage, but he will have to move and recover outside his comfort zone like never before.
While he didn’t look stiff guarding faster, smaller opponents, he didn’t look comfortable either, and it’s a whole different level in the NBA. Teams without strong supporting defenders can deal with Edey being targeted in different ways.
His closeouts are a real weakness, and big players will take advantage of this. The overall pace and workload will also increase, although Edey showed great cardio and grit by playing more than 38 minutes in the final four games of the NCAA Tournament.
There are other question marks, such as his face-up play and how he will adapt to a much smaller, pick-your-spot role. He’s 22 years old, so he’s probably closer to a finished project than a developmental piece, but the Knicks still prefer that.
