After multiple successful draft picks in 2020 and 2021, he set the Knicks In preparation for its best run in recent franchise history, New York should try to recreate that success this year. They have back-to-back first-round picks at Nos. 24 and 25, plus the No. 38 overall pick, and have been relatively inactive in the last two drafts.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of the Knicks’ potential draft picks, continuing with Purdue’s. Zach Edey.
The arguments in favor of Edey’s wording
If the Knicks are looking for a high-risk, high-reward swing, who better than the most decorated player in this draft class. Edey is 7-foot-4 and 300 pounds with a soft touch to go along with his historically imposing frame.
Edey earned unanimous National Player of the Year honors in consecutive college seasons, the first to do so in 50 years, behind 25.2 points and 12.2 rebounds a night on 62.3 percent shooting from the field. His impact around the rim became the center of Purdue’s game plan and helped lead them to the National Championship Game.
A talented post-up player, Edey can backtrack to the rim from almost any starting point, delivering a reliable jump hook, faking his way into an angle, or simply driving up for a finish. Despite his hulking physique and lack of contraction, Edey makes a large volume of efficient cubes with relative ease thanks to his strength and feel.
Obviously the NBA is more of a pick-and-roll game for centers, but Edey should thrive there despite having fewer opportunities at Purdue. He can dribble one or two to a spot and beat 99 percent of defenders to meet his gaze.
If he is near the restricted area, he is a strong finisher and requires little effort to get over the rim. This makes it a viable threat as long as it doesn’t require too much blast from north to south.
His size also helps him attack the boards, as evidenced by his numbers on the glass. Once again, here his soft hands and his legitimate foundation shine, perhaps more than his stature.
The same thing happens on defense. Edey knows how to effectively read offenses and get between the ball and the rim, and if he does it, good luck finishing.
Edey’s massive 7-foot-10 wingspan consumes the court and uses it with precision, going vertical and not fouling. He only averaged 1.9 fouls per night and blocked 2.2 shots, didn’t gamble and moved his feet well despite the lack of burst.
There is other potential here too. Edey shows signs of a jumper and some playmaking.
His form is smooth and translates to the free throw line with a 71.1 percent clip at high volume. He only averaged two assists with a negative assist-to-turnover ratio, but showed the ability to anticipate the help and make a simple read.
There’s a real chance the Knicks end up needing a center this offseason, with two of them hitting free agency and another constantly on the mend. If they decide to fill this need through the draft, it’s worth considering taking a swing at Edey and his tremendous college production.
The case against Edey’s editorial staff
Edey definitely got a good look at Purdue, but several things are about to change for him. For one, not only can he play drop coverage, but he will have to move and recover outside of his comfort zone like never before.
While he didn’t look stiff guarding faster, smaller opponents, he didn’t look comfortable either, and that’s a whole different level in the NBA. Teams without strong enough supporting defenders will face Edey being attacked in different ways.
Their sell-offs are a real weak point, and the big guys will take advantage. The overall pace and workload will also grow, although Edey showed tremendous cardio and determination playing more than 38 minutes in the final four games of the NCAA Tournament.
There are other question marks, such as his face-up game 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 piece in development, but the Knicks tend to prefer that anyway.