New York Knicks: Small Forwards To Keep An Eye On In 2017 NBA Draft

Jan 21, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) grabs a rebound against Texas Longhorns forward Mareik Isom (14) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 79-67. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

With the season on the decline and Carmelo Anthony rumored to be traded, which small forwards should the New York Knicks be looking at in the 2017 NBA Draft?

The New York Knicks are approaching the most critical stage of the 2016-17 NBA regular season: the trade deadline. Carmelo Anthony’s future with the Knicks is up in the air, which begs the question: what does the future hold at small forward?

With or without Anthony at small forward, Phil Jackson and the Knicks will need to evaluate the best prospects at the position leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft.

If Anthony is traded, then the Knicks will need to draft a replacement who will fill the long-term void. If he’s kept around beyond the 2017 NBA Draft, then it stands to reason that he could be moved to power forward.

It’s worth noting that Anthony’s best season in New York was spent at power forward—a move that resulted in New York winning 54 games and ‘Melo securing the scoring title.

Regardless of what the future holds, Jackson needs to keep tabs on the best available players in the 2017 NBA Draft. Having already evaluated the point guards and shooting guards, it’s only rational to move on to the small forwards.

The question is: who are the best small forwards in the 2017 NBA Draft and how might they fit with the New York Knicks?

Jan 18, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Tony Carr (10) shoots the ball as Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) defends during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

OG Anunoby, Indiana Hoosiers

Projected: Mid-to-Late First Round
Age: 19 (7/17/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8″, 215 pounds, 7’6″

OG Anunoby suffered a severe knee injury that will force him to miss the remainder of the 2016-17 college basketball season. He’s also likely to be sidelined for the 2017 NBA Draft Combine, which throws the New York Knicks quite the curveball.

If the Knicks’ medical staff determine that Anunoby’s body can hold up, however, it would be silly to write him off as an option in the late first round.

This would require the New York Knicks trading for a second first-round draft pick, but that’s a realistic possibility. If it does so, it would likely be in the 20-to-30 range given the assets that the Knicks have at their disposal.

If that proves to be the case, Anunoby could be the ferocious competitor whom the Knicks so desperately need on defense.

Anunoby has positional versatility and a proven track record of being willing and able to defend at a high level. He’s also a phenomenal athlete, but he projects to lose some of that explosiveness to his injury.

Drafting Anunoby only makes sense if its late in the first round, but at 6’8″ with a 7’6″ wingspan, he could be the Kawhi Leonard of this draft class.

Jan 29, 2017; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) reacts to a play during the first half of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Miles Bridges, Michigan State Spartans

Projected: Lottery
Age: 18 (3/21/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6.25″, 226 pounds, 6’8.75″
2016-17 Slash Line: .500/.405/.630
2016-17 Season Averages: 31.7 MPG, 16.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.6 BPG, 1.9 3PM

Miles Bridges has become one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft. He’s a skilled and versatile two-way player who produces and looks the part of an NBA player, but he’s also a positionally ambiguous player.

With a wingspan that’s too short to play power forward and a style of play that doesn’t necessarily fit the 3, Bridges is a difficult player to define.

Having said that, Bridges is the type of talent whom general managers often take a chance on in the lottery. He’s a muscular wing who can power his way to the basket, finish in traffic, and kick it out to shooters along the perimeter.

He’s also a committed defender who can pick up players at multiple positions, box out, and crash the boards as well as just about anyone at his position.

The appeal in Bridges is that he’s a consistent 3-point shooter, which helps balance out his potential flaws. He’s likely to fill in as a small-ball 4 at the next level, but doesn’t necessarily take him off the board.

With Bridges at the 4 and Kristaps Porzingis at the 5, the New York Knicks could have a special combination of players to build with.

Jan 28, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) tries to get the ball past Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Isaac, Florida State Seminoles

Projected: Top 10
Age: 19 (10/3/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.5″, 205 pounds, 7’1.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .527/.361/.829
2016-17 Season Averages: 24.9 MPG, 12.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.0 APG, 1.5 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 3PM

The Florida State Seminoles are a deep team that could make noise in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Of all the talented players that Florida State has on its roster, none are quite as intriguing as small forward Jonathan Isaac.

A well-rounded player with size to his advantage, Isaac is the proper development away from becoming one of the best scorers in this draft class.

Isaac’s thin frame is a hindrance in his present state, but there have been consistent flashes of brilliance. He can split screens, utilizes a smooth Euro Step in traffic, finishes with both hands, and has the 3-point range to keep defenders on their heels.

Isaac doesn’t have the wingspan of Kevin Durant, but he’s essentially KD-lite in the sense that he does it all on both ends of the floor and has the potential to score at will.

Isaac’s competitiveness on defense adds to the intrigue, as does the potential for him to be a small-ball power forward. He’s a committed rebounder who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty on defense, albeit without the filled out frame to consistently do so.

Isaac’s has an arsenal of moves that most players his size or age simply cannot execute. This would be an upside pick, but the potential is alluring.

Jan 24, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) drives towards the basket during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Jackson, Kansas Jayhawks

Projected: Top 5
Age: 19 (2/10/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7.75″, 203 pounds, 6’9.75″
2016-17 Slash Line: .500/.355/.543
2016-17 Season Averages: 29.5 MPG, 16.0 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 0.9 3PM

If the New York Knicks determine that drafting a point guard isn’t the answer, then Josh Jackson would be a fair player to target with their first-round draft pick. He’s an elite athlete with the size and well-rounded skill set to become a true franchise player.

Jackson also shows the accountability of a star, as evidenced by his comments earlier this season about his lackluster jump shot. Per Gary Bedore of The Kansas City Star:

How can one not be intrigued by a young player who has already developed that type of mentality?

Offensively, Jackson is an excellent slasher who can get to the rim and finish with both power and creativity. He’s also a gifted facilitator who’s willing to pass, sees the floor well, and is accurate with his distribution skills.

If that isn’t enough to pique your interest, Jackson is a one-man transition attack who can overwhelm opposing teams with his speed, strength, and leaping ability in the open court.

Defensively, Jackson is active and committed to making plays, whether or not they result in him getting touches on the other end. He needs to be more in control in order to avoid foul trouble, but the ability and desire to defend at a high level is clearly there.

If Kristaps Porzingis and WiIlly Hernangomez are the future down low, then Josh Jackson could be Phil Jackson’s rising star along the perimeter.

Jan 23, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after making a three point shot against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Jayson Tatum, Duke Blue Devils

Projected: Top 10
Age: 18 (3/3/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8.25″, 204 pounds, 6’11”
2016-17 Slash Line: .444/.314/.847
2016-17 Season Averages: 30.2 MPG, 15.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 3PM

Jayson Tatum has been compared to Carmelo Anthony for a vast majority of his basketball career. It was the label he carried while playing in high school and it’s the branding he’s received during his brief career with the Duke Blue Devils.

If Phil Jackson wants to draft a version of Anthony who’s young enough to have his mind molded to fit the New York Knicks’ vision, then Tatum would be a wise selection.

Like Anthony, Tatum is a 6’8″ small forward with a lethal midrange game and the ability to play with his back to the basket. He hasn’t yet developed a 3-point shot—also like a younger Anthony—but he can put the ball on the floor and attack—again, like Anthony.

The most enticing factor at this stage of his development may be the intensity with which Tatum plays on defense.

Tatum too often finds himself in foul trouble, but that’s a product of how committed he is to defending with a purpose. He contests shots, crashes the boards, forces turnovers, runs down loose balls, and isn’t afraid of playing through contact.

There’s no guaranteeing that Tatum will be a star at the next level, but he has the size, body type, and skill set to either play with or replace Anthony long-term.

The question is: what does the future hold for the New York Knicks at small forward?

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