Pros and Cons: Should Knicks select Tyler Kolek 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 24 and 25, plus the 38th overall pick, and have been relatively inactive in the past two drafts.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the Knicks’ potentially drafting Marquette’s Tyler Kolek…

The case for drafting Kolek

Kolek is one of this class’ most impressive point guards. He averaged 15.3 points, 7.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds on 55.2 percent shooting from two and 38.8 percent from three in his senior season.

The 6’1″, 197-pound lefty shooter has a tremendous basketball IQ, crafty old-man game, and touch from every spot on the court. Marquette’s offense ran through him and was rewarded with a trip to the Sweet 16.

Kolek is a pick-and-roll maestro, manipulating defenders into allowing him to the rim or leaving a teammate open. Even without a clear lane or standout athleticism, Kolek uses any available angle or defensive mistake to find a paint bucket.

His handle is sharp and consistent. Kolek won’t dazzle with an incredible combination, but knows just the spot where a hard crossover will bend the defense to his will.

Kolek’s passing may be his most dangerous weapon. He’s mastered pick-and-roll lobs, pocket passes, cross-court weak-side corner bullets, and anything else an NBA initiator needs.

He has terrific patience on his drives, often probing defenses like a veteran until he finds the open man. His drive, draw two and kick game will be extremely valuable at the next level, should defenses continue fearing his scoring.

Kolek sees the game ahead of most of his opponents, and even his teammates. His passing in transition is special, and a chunk of his turnovers can be attributed to his fellow Golden Eagles not expecting an advanced read.

He’s also a knockdown shooter, lacing 38.8 percent of his threes on both catch-and-shoot and pull-up looks. His form isn’t the quickest, but it’s smooth and consistent, lofting high-arcing missiles that drop efficiently.

There’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pros-cons-knicks-select-tyler-134043727.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-06-11 13:40:43

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