Mock Draft 3.0 – Predicting how the dominoes fall, with view to fit, shifts, and OKC Thunder best bet

No team has suffered more since season end then the New York Knicks. Finishing last this past season did nothing to help the Mecca land the Zion Sweepstakes although given how far the Suns and Cavaliers dropped they might disagree.

However, the events of the past week were like adding kerosene to an already burning house.  This because Anthony Davis cited the Knicks as a potential desired landing spot (along with LA) but the Knicks were unable to create a package enticing enough to usurp the Lakers offer.

Simultaneously, things seemed to be looking a little less bleak with news Kyrie Irving was ghosting the Celtics while Kevin Durant’s free agency also loomed. Then catastrophe struck as KD ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The subsequent morning’s New York tabloid headline summed up the events:

The fallout from KD’s injury at worst could lead to him opting into his final season with the Warriors or re-signing a longer more lucrative deal with the Dubs in order to work with the medical team he knows. At best, the Knicks might still be able to recruit and land Durant but it will mean paying him a max contract next season while he recuperates from the injury. Furthermore, hopes of luring a second max free agent superstar decrease even if KD elects to join the Knicks.

In spite of all this, there remains good news as R.J. Barrett is still a highly talented prospect who projects to be even better at the NBA level. Barrett will end up surprising many with his overall skill set and ready made NBA game. Mark my words RJ will not only be an eventual All-Star but he might even be the first of this rookie crop to ascend (all due respect to Zion and his impending Zenith).

Helping his cause R.J. publicly stated his excitement to become a Knick and having been exposed to the spotlight from an early age on the National Canadian stage won’t shy away from the notoriously tough Knicks media circus.

Barring a trade or copious free agent signings Barrett will join a group of youthful assets in Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr., Allonzo Trier, and Mitchell Robinson. His ability to create for the squad and himself will put him in good stead with the knowledgeable Knicks fanbase. Moreover, David Fizdale experience developing youthful assets will no doubt be delighted to add a player of RJ’s ilk to the fold.

Rumors of teams trying to trade up for the third pick (Hawks, Cavaliers) also speaks to just how much Barrett is coveted throughout the Association. Sam Amico cited efforts by Cleveland to package picks in an effort to land Barrett. Chin up Knicks fans, and hey maybe Dolan will finally sell the team and your years of suffering can finally come to a full circle close.