When the Knicks snapped their 18-game losing streak last Thursday in Atlanta, just getting a win was much needed for their spirits. And as has been oft-repeated, the race to the bottom isn't quite as important since all three of the worst teams will have the same odds for the top spot in the NBA draft lottery.
But, it isn't unimportant either.
The win over the Hawks in the final game before the All-Star break, hard as it may be to believe after 18 straight losses, knocked the Knicks out of the bottom spot. When play resumes later this week the Phoenix Suns hold the worst record and the Knicks are a half-game ahead of them in the standings.
One Eastern Conference team executive tagged the 2019 NBA draft as a five-player draft that turns weak after that. While the three worst teams all have an equal spot at the top pick, their fate isn't equal after that. The worst team can only drop as far as No. 5 in the draft. The second worst team _ currently the Knicks _ can fall to No. 6 with a 20 percent chance of landing there. Third-worst team can go to No. 7 _ a 33 percent chance of drafting outside the top five spots.
So while the Knicks insist they are not interested in tanking, maybe they should be a little more interested. Here's what the top of the draft looks like right now.
1. Zion Williamson, Duke
The most unique prospect to come out maybe ever, a physical freak at 6-foot-7, 285 pounds and able to jump beyond anything his body type should be able to create. But while scouts are mixed on just what his pro potential and position are, one NBA front office exec said that he thinks there won't be any issue because Williamson is a much more instinctive and intelligent player than he is credited for because of his athleticism. "I think he's going to be perfect," said Knicks rookie Kevin Knox, who played against him multiple times on the AAU circuit. "Zion rebounds the ball. He defends. He's a team player. He's going to do whatever it takes to win." Add in the star power and any of these bottom feeding teams would love to have him.
2. R.J. Barrett, Duke
His spot in mock drafts has shifted throughout the season, but he has just begun to show that he is more than a ball-dominant scorer, posting a triple-double with no turnovers against N.C. State. "R.J., when he's locked in he can guard one through four," Knox said. "So he does other things than scoring that teams would love about him."
3. Ja Morant, Murray State
One NBA scout said Morant wasn't as highly regarded in high school mostly because he weighed about 150 pounds. He has filled out into a prototypical point guard of the present NBA _ able to score at all levels with explosive athleticism _ but he is a tenacious worker and a very smart player. He posted 25 points and 14 assists against Eastern Kentucky last week.
4. Cam Reddish, Duke
How do you figure a player projected as a lights-out shooting wing in the NBA who has been wildly inconsistent in his one college season _ including a 2-for-15 night against N.C. State Saturday? NBA officials are still high on Reddish _ with one scout even predicting that he could go ahead of Barrett.
5. KZ Okpala, Stanford
Intriguing prospect with great length (7-2 wingspan), he looks like an immediate impact player with defensive ability, a smooth three-point shooting stroke and a smart passing game.
6. Nassir Little, North Carolina
This is a pretty good example of the way the draft drops off _ Little is a prospect that has scouts mixed and he is not even starting as a freshman for the Tar Heels. But a powerful wing who plays both ends of the floor, he could be the latest in the line of North Carolina players who can only be slowed down by their college coach.
7. Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga
Might be high for him in this range, but rapidly improving power forward has shown promise this season _ including leading Gonzaga past Duke early in the season.
