NBA Draft 2020: 5 best fits for Tyrese Haliburton
By Mike Luciano
player. Scouting Report. New York Knicks. 27. Pick Analysis. Atlantic. . 3
The Knicks not only missed out on big free agents once again, but they saw the other four teams in the division evolve into legit playoff teams. Julius Randle had a fine season last year, RJ Barrett started to come into his own near the end of the year, and Mitchell Robinson showed glimpses of potential. Still, the Knicks are getting nowhere fast in that division without a point guard that they can rely on, and Frank Ntilikina, simply put, isn’t it. When shooting 39 percent from the field and averaging 6.3 points per game is called “improvement”, that’s a problem. Dennis Smith is barely able to get on the floor.
A new voice is needed in the backcourt, and Haliburton could answer the call. While Tom Thibodeau is notorious for playing veterans for heavy minutes as opposed to younger players, Haliburton might be the rare youngster that bucks that trend, Thibodeau’s teams will play an intense, aggressive style of defense, and Haliburton will certainly have no problems adjusting to the pros on that end,
The Knicks will always chase star free agents, but they still need a young core to build on with or without a big name. Haliburton might not be a transcendent scorer, but the Knicks are hoping Barrett can be. those two can help lead the Knicks back on the path towards respectability.