With much of the NBA Champion New York Knicks’ reserves being free agents and the team’s salary closing in on the second apron, what better way to fortify the end of your bench with cheap young players. The Knicks select at Pick #24 (which I am not sold on them keeping this), Pick #31, and Pick #55. We are going to be going over who I believe are the top prospects for our team that are realistic at those spots.

Age: 19.9 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’3” / Listed Height: 6’4” / Weight: 189.6lb / Wingspan: 6’6.75” / Standing Reach: 8’4” / Standing Vertical: 31.5” / Max Vertical: 38”

25-26 Arkansas Stats: 15.6 PPG 3.8 RPG 2.5 APG 1.5 SPG 43.5 FG% 41.6 3P% 84.3 FT%

NBA Comparison: Jordan Clarkson (Median Outcome), Anfernee Simons / Tyler Herro (Upside/Playstyle)

Strengths: Natural Scoring Ability, Shot Creation, Athleticism and Explosiveness

Weaknesses: Shot Selection, Playmaking Consistency, Defensive Consistency

Age: 20.5 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’5.5” / Listed Height: 6’7” / Weight: 186lb / Wingspan: 6’8.75” / Standing Reach: 8’8.5” / Standing Vertical: 27” / Max Vertical: 35.5”

25-26 Duke Stats: 15.0 PPG 3.2 RPG 1.3 APG .7 BPG .7 SPG 43.3 FG% 36.1 3P% 86.0 FT%

NBA Comparison: Jordan Hawkins (Median Outcome), Isaiah Joe (Profile/Role), Brandon Ingram (Slightly Smaller Frame)

Strengths: Elite Shooting Ability, Natural Scoring Instincts, Length and Positional Versatility

Weaknesses: Physical Strength, Defensive Consistency, Playmaking for Others

Age: 22.2 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’7.50” / Listed Height: 6’9” / Weight: 245.2lb / Wingspan: 7’2” / Standing Reach: 8’11” / Standing Vertical: 34” / Max Vertical: 38”

25-26 St. John’s Stats: 16.3 PPG 7.3 RPG 3.5 APG 2.1 BPG 1.2 SPG 53.6 FG% 30.5 3P% 71.8 FT%

NBA Comparison: Montrezl Harrell / Etan Thomas (Median Outcome), Josh Smith (Profile/Athleticism), Bam Adebayo (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Relentless Motor, Rebounding Ability, Interior Efficiency

Weaknesses: Limited Floor Spacing, Offensive Creation, Size for an NBA Big

Age: 22.9 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’9.75” / Listed Height: 6’11” / Weight: 263.6lb / Wingspan: 7’4.25” / Standing Reach: 9’2” / Standing Vertical: 29.5” / Max Vertical: 33”

25-26 UCONN Stats: 14.7 PPG 9 RPG 2.3 APG 2 BPG .9 SPG 60.7 FG% 61.7 FT%

NBA Comparison: Day’Ron Sharpe (Median Outcome), Isaiah Stewart (Energy/Enforcer), Joakim Noah / Andrew Bogut (Passing Hub)

Strengths: Interior Scoring Presence, Rebounding Motor on Both Ends, Paint Protection and Vertical Timing

Weaknesses: Limited Shooting Range, Struggles Defending in Space, Offensive Polish and Passing Feel

Age: 22.2 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’11.25” / Listed Height: 7’0” / Weight: 227.2lb / Wingspan: 7’2” / Standing Reach: 9’3” / Standing Vertical: 28” / Max Vertical: 32.5”

25-26 UNC Stats: 17 PPG 8.7 RPG 2.1 APG 1.2 BPG .6 SPG 60.8 FG% 42.6 3P% 61.5 FT%

NBA Comparison: Frank Kaminsky / Kelly Olynyk (Median Outcome), Walker Kessler (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Elite Defensive Versatility, Exceptional Athleticism, High Mother and Rebounding

Weaknesses: Limited Offensive Creation, Physical Strength, Consistency and Aggressiveness

Age: 23.5 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’7.75” / Listed Height: 6’9” / Weight: 246.2lb / Wingspan: 6’10.75” / Standing Reach: 8’8.5” / Standing Vertical: 27” / Max Vertical: 33”

25-26 Iowa State Stats: 16.4 PPG 7.4 RPG 4.8 APG .8 BPG 1.6 SPG 47.1 FG% 34.5 3P% 70 FT%

NBA Comparison: James Johnson (Median Outcome), Kyle Anderson (Basketball IQ/Feel), Draymond Green (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Versatile Two-Way Defender, High Basketball IQ, All-Around Production

Weaknesses: Perimeter Shooting Consistency, Limited Explosiveness, Half-Court Shot Creation

Age: 20.6 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’6” / Listed Height: 6’7” / Weight: 204lb / Wingspan: 6’9” / Standing Reach: 8’4.25” / Standing Vertical: N/A / Max Vertical: N/A

25-26 Valencia Stats: 7.2 PPG 2.2 RPG 2.7 APG .5 SPG 43.8 FG% 39.2 3P% 81.1 FT%

NBA Comparison: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Median Outcome), Malcolm Brogdon / Austin Reaves (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Advanced Playmaking and Court Vision, Positional Size and Versatility, Basketball IQ and Poise

Weaknesses: Limited Burst and Athleticism, Physical Strength, Scoring Aggressiveness

Age: 19.4 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’7” / Listed Height: 6’8” / Weight: 245lb / Wingspan: 6’11.25” / Standing Reach: 8’8” / Standing Vertical: 34.5” / Max Vertical: 37.5”

25-26 Arizona Stats: 14.1 PPG 5.6 RPG 2.6 APG .7 BPG .6 SPG 52.8 FG% 35 3P% 62.3 FT%

NBA Comparison: Aaron Gordon / Rui Hachimura (Median Outcome), Draymond Green / Grant Williams (Playmaking Ability/Defensive Toughness)

Strengths: NBA-Ready Physicality, Versatile Scoring Ability, High Motor and Competitiveness

Weaknesses: Perimeter Shooting Consistency, Average Positional Length and Athletic Ceiling, Shot Creation Against Elite Defenders

Age: 23.6 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’6.75” / Listed Height: 6’8” / Weight: 225.2lb / Wingspan: 6’11” / Standing Reach: 8’8.5” / Standing Vertical: 28” / Max Vertical: 33”

25-26 UCONN Stats: 13.2 PPG 5.3 RPG 2.4 APG .8 BPG .8 SPG 46.4 FG% 37.4 3P% 85.1 FT%

NBA Comparison: Sam Hauser / Jason Kapono (Median Outcome), Peja Stojakovic (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Elite Floor Spacing, High Basketball IQ, Versatile Team Defense

Weaknesses: Limited Athleticism, Self-Creation Ability, Defensive Matchup Concerns

Age: 22.4 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’10.5” / Listed Height: 7’0” / Weight: 208.2lb / Wingspan: 7’1.75” / Standing Reach: 9’3” / Standing Vertical: 31.5” / Max Vertical: 34.5”

25-26 CIN Stats: 13.0 PPG 10.3 RPG 3.7 APG 1.2 BPG .7 SPG 52.9 FG% 19.2 3P% 65.8 FT%

NBA Comparison: Jared Vanderbilt (High-End Switchable Athlete), Serge Ibaka (Early Career), Jonathan Isaac (Defensive End)

Strengths: Elite Length and Defensive Versatility, Playmaking from the Frontcourt, Transition Impact and Mobility

Weaknesses: Perimeter Shooting Consistency, Offensive Polishing in Half-Court Sets, Physical Strength and Interior Finishing

Age: 22.7 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’6.75” / Listed Height: 6’8” / Weight: 202.2lb / Wingspan: 6’10.5” / Standing Reach: 8’8.5” / Standing Vertical: 32.5” / Max Vertical: 38.5”

25-26 St. John’s Stats: 8.3 PPG 7 RPG 3 APG .7 BPG 1.3 SPG 55.9 FG% 49.4 FT%

NBA Comparison: Derrick Jones Jr. (Best-Case), Jared Vanderbilt (Median Outcome), Keita Bates-Diop / KJ Martin (Floor)

Strengths: Elite Athleticism and Explosiveness, Defensive Versatility and Switch-ability, Transition Impact and Energy

Weaknesses: Perimeter Shooting Consistency, Half-Court Offensive Creation, Free Throw and Touch Efficiency

Age: 23.5 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’9.5” / Listed Height: 6’10” / Weight: 225.6lb / Wingspan: 7’3.75” / Standing Reach: 9’1” / Standing Vertical: 33” / Max Vertical: 41”

25-26 Arkansas Stats: 13 PPG 7.3 RPG 1.6 BPG 1.5 SPG 52.5 FG% 34.1 3P% 71.7 FT%

NBA Comparison: Obi Toppin / Jaxson Hayes (Median Outcome), John Collins / Serge Ibaka (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Elite Versatility for His Size, Defensive Playmaking and Rim Protection, Transition Scoring and Mobility

Weaknesses: Perimeter Shooting Consistency, Strength and Physicality, Half-Court Offensive Creation

Age: 24.8 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’5” / Listed Height: 6’6” / Weight: 204.8lb / Wingspan: 6’8.75” / Standing Reach: 8’6.5” / Standing Vertical: N/A / Max Vertical: N/A

25-26 BYU Stats: 18 PPG 5.8 RPG 2.1 APG 1.7 SPG 48.9 FG% 37.6 3P% 81.7 FT%

NBA Comparison: Gradey Dick / Craig Ehlo (Median Outcome), Landry Shamet / Danny Green (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Elite Shooting and Floor Spacing, Smart Off-Ball Movement, Competitive Energy and Motor

Weaknesses: Limited Shot Creation Off the Dribble, Size and Length at the NBA Level, Defensive Upside Against Elite Wings

Age: 19.2 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’1.25” / Listed Height: 6’2” / Weight: 186lb / Wingspan: 6’7.75” / Standing Reach: 8’2” / Standing Vertical: 31.5” / Max Vertical: 37.5”

25-26 Stanford Stats: 23.2 PPG 3.6 RPG 3.6 APG 1.6 SPG 46.5 FG% 35.4 3P% 83.2 FT%

NBA Comparison: Reggie Jackson / Payton Pritchard (Median Outcome), Tyrese Maxey / Scoot Henderson (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Playmaking and Court Vision, Ball Handling and Pace Control, Defensive Activity

Weaknesses: Perimeter Shooting Consistency, Physical Strength, Scoring Aggressiveness

Age: 18.9 Years Old / Height without Shoes: 6’9” / Listed Height: 6’10” / Weight: 253.4lb / Wingspan: 7’5.25” / Standing Reach: 9’1” / Standing Vertical: N/A / Max Vertical: N/A

25-26 Kentucky Stats: 5 PPG 5 RPG .5 APG .8 BPG 57.1 FG% 30.8 FT% (4 Games Played)

NBA Comparison: Kevon Looney / Clint Capela (Median Outcome), Robert Williams III / Jalen Duren (Optimistic Comparison)

Strengths: Elite Defensive Versatility, Exceptional Athleticism, High Motor and Rebounding

Weaknesses: Raw Offensive Skillset, Perimeter Shooting, Offensive Decision-Making