With the New York Knicks headed for the lottery, their best chance to turn around their franchise could be selecting Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor in the 2015 NBA draft. Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy believes Okafor would thrive in the Knicks' triangle offense and has the potential to become an All-Star quickly.
This season is a lost cause for New York. They're expected to be active in free agency during the summer, and they're certain to land in the draft lottery for 2015. If New York can have their pick of the upcoming draft class, Kennedy believes Okafor would be perfect for Knicks president Phil Jackson's system.
"Jahlil Okafor is one of the most skilled big man prospects I've ever seen. He has the foot work and post moves of a veteran and is a good passer as well. He has the perfect skill set for the Triangle Offense and I think he'd thrive there," Kennedy wrote Thursday. "He's also incredibly smart and mature, which is important for that system. He has been doing foot work drills and studying film of Duncan and Olajuwon since he was 14 years old. I really think he could be one of the best center prospects we've seen in a long time and I believe he has superstar potential. If the Knicks can land him, that'd really help turn their team around."
Okafor will likely be the first-overall pick of the 2015 draft, which means New York needs to luck out and draw the No. 1 pick. The 6-foot-11 center is averaging 18.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in his first season with the Blue Devils, and he's expected to declare for the draft after the college season concludes.
