The New York Knicks are guaranteed to have the opportunity to select one of the top four players - Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay - in the 2015 NBA draft, but recent reports indicate team president Phil Jackson is eying Justise Winslow and Willie Cauley-Stein with the No. 4 pick. As far as Winslow goes, a handful of NBA scouts and insiders told ESPN's Ian Begley that the Duke freshman would be a good fit for the triangle offense.
The draft is less than a month away, and the rumor mill is in full swing. Winslow, whose draft stock is on the rise, was one of the two names recently linked to New York. Begley asked around and put together an analysis of why Jackson would draft the forward, whom some scouts consider to be the best wing available in the draft.
Pros:
-Strong passer, ball handler and cutter. High IQ and hard worker.
-Versatile forward, was able to hit 3-pointers and work in the post during his freshman year at Duke. Capable of playing the 2- or 3-spot.
-Good size (6-foot-6, 222 pounds) and strength. Has drawn comparisons to Lamar Odom and DeMarre Carroll.
-Would allow Carmelo Anthony to shift to the 4-spot, the position Anthony played better at this season.
-Strong defender. Can guard two positions. Has the potential to be a good wing defender and to be an above-average rebounder.
Cons:
-Some observers are worried whether his shooting (41 percent from 3-point range) will translate into the pros, pointing to his 64 percent free-throw percentage.
Cauley-Stein is another strong possibility. ESPN's Chad Ford, in addition to confirming the Knicks' interest in Winslow, said the Cauley-Stein's defense has the 7-footer high on Jackson's draft board.
Another possibility mentioned, should Jackson choose to pass on any of the aforementioned six draft prospects, is New York trading the pick for a veteran player.
