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2014 NBA Draft: Grading each team’s draft

By Brad Rowland

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early (11) slaps five with Tekele Cotton (32) against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men
Mar 23, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Cleanthony Early (11) slaps five with Tekele Cotton (32) against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men /

New York Knicks

After some wheeling and dealing, the New York Knicks became a real player in the 2014 NBA Draft, and they did not disappoint. New York acquired the rights to two second round picks in the highly scrutinized Tyson Chandler swap, and the highest pick available to them at #34 overall turned into former Wichita State swingman Cleanthony Early. Frankly, Early is an absolute steal at the top of the second round, and the Knicks have to be thrilled that they were able to snatch a potential contributor at that spot.

Then, the Knicks selected Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Louis Labeyrie in the second round, and while it is unlikely that we saw Labeyrie in the near future, the “junior alphabet” could be a high upside selection. Comparisons to his brother Giannis are likely to yield diminishing returns, but New York is stockpiling assets, and that is a change in the right direction under the leadership and tutelage of Phil Jackson. 

Grade: B+

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