Pros and Cons: Should Knicks select Zach Edey in 2024 NBA Draft?

After multiple spot-on draft selections in 2020 and 2021 set the Knicks up for their best stretch in recent franchise history, New York should look to recreate that success this year. They have back-to-back late first-round picks at No. 24 and 25, plus the 38th overall pick, and have been relatively inactive in the past 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 case for drafting Edey

If the Knicks are looking for a high-risk, high-reward swing, who better than the most decorated player of this draft class. Edey stands 7-foot-4 and 300 pounds with a soft touch to go along with his historically imposing frame.

Edey won unanimous National Player of the Year honors in back-to-back college seasons, the first to do it 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 gameplan and helped lead them to the National Championship Game.

A gifted post-up player, Edey can back down towards the rim from nearly any starting point, going to a reliable jump hook, faking his way to an angle or just powering in for the finish. Despite his ginormous physique and lack of twitch, Edey manufactures a high volume of efficient buckets with relative ease thanks to his strength and touch.

Obviously the NBA is more of a pick-and-roll game for centers, but Edey should thrive there despite fewer chances at Purdue. He can one or two-dribble his way to a spot and rise above 99 percent of defenders to find his look.

If he’s near the restricted area, he’s a strong finisher, with little effort needed to get above the rim. This makes him a viable lob threat so long as it doesn’t require too much north-south explosion.

His size also helps him attack the boards, as shown by his numbers on the glass. Again his soft hands and legitimate fundamentals shine here, perhaps more so than his stature.

Same goes defensively. Edey knows how to effectively read offenses and get between the ball and the rim, and if he gets there good luck finishing.

Edey’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pros-cons-knicks-select-zach-131505891.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-06-09 13:15:05

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