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A key date in the New York Knicks' offseason is approaching. In 15 days, the 2022 NBA Draft will roll around and give the Knicks the chance to make huge additions to their roster.
With the 11th overall pick, as well as the 42nd overall pick, the Knicks once again need to add a highly talented youngster but primarily have a mid-lottery pick to find it. The last few times they have picked around this area of the draft, they have mostly found players whose futures in New York were done for in just a few years.
Fortunately, the Knicks aren't once again in a position where they need everything. RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson (for now) headline a solid vast of young players who play well together and could develop into a solid unit. Still, New York does have some big needs to address this offseason.
Knicks' 3 biggest needs entering 2022 NBA Draft
3. A center to potentially replace Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks don't necessarily need to draft a center with their 11th overall pick, as there is a chance they retain Mitchell Robinson (an unrestricted free agent) and already have a young center who has shown promise, Jericho Sims. Still, they should be in the market for one.
Aside from Sims, the two centers currently on New York's roster are Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson. Noel was injured for nearly three-quarters of last season and was not at all good when he played. Gibson will turn 37 later this month. His time in the league is almost up.
The Knicks should use their second-round pick to land a center that could thrive as a lob option and interior defender. They could also trade up for Arizona's Christian Koloko, Auburn's Walker Kessler or France's Ismael Kamagate, since the odds of one of them lasting that long may not be very good.
2. A strong playmaker
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Regardless of what positions the Knicks' draftees play, it would help a lot to make sure they can become strong passers at the NBA level. They ranked last in team assists per game last season and will lose a major source of offense if they don't get Robinson back to clean up the offensive glass. They have to get more smart passers on board.
Although Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett have displayed some solid playmaking skills, neither is built to be a high-level playmaker who can carry the load for a whole offense. Finding someone in the draft who can help them both out will get New York back into the playoffs sooner.
Dyson Daniels and Nikola Jovic, for example, are both smart and accurate playmakers. Jeremy Sochan has shown intriguing passing chops as well. This year's NBA Draft class isn't loaded with the typical “floor general” type of guards but still offers guys who can become strong passers of different (bigger) sizes.
1. A future star next to RJ Barrett
At the end of the day, the Knicks just need a player that can give them hope for the future.
Barrett's emergence as a bonafide star gives them someone who can be a centerpiece in their rebuild. Quickley, Robinson, Sims and Obi Toppin could all be solid support pieces. But the Knicks must find another player who is worthy of being supported by those young players rather than just being a decent player.
New York has two first-round picks next season, so they can afford to trade up in this year's draft if they see a star going at some point before them. Regardless of the front office's stance on running back the same team and trying again or tearing it down and undergoing a rebuild, they just need someone who can be a difference-maker right away.
