New York Knicks Interested in Drafting Kansas Forward Josh Jackson
Carmelo Anthony may be wearing a Knicks uniform right now, but the New York Knicks are going to try and trade him once again in the offseason. As a matter fact, they may already have his potential replacement on their radar.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks are not going to target a point guard in this year's point guard-heavy draft. Instead, they will go after University of Kansas swingman Josh Jackson if he's still on the board when it's their turn to pick.
"If the tanking Knicks wind up with a top-six pick, as the odds now suggest, they haven't ruled out passing on a point guard to take Josh Jackson, a Kansas combo forward known best for his defense and passing," Berman said in his report.
"Indeed, the Knicks have a yen for the 6-foot-8 Kansas freshman, whom they have identified as a player with a triangle skill set because of that passing ability. Plus, the Knicks may have to fill a void if Carmelo Anthony is traded," he continued.
Well, Jackson does have the passing skills to play well in the Knicks' offensive schemes, and he can also hold his own on the defensive end. Most importantly, he is a team player and the Knicks should select him if he is available even if they fail to trade Anthony. However, a lot of pundits believe that Jackson's going to be one of the top four players in the draft along with Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and Jayson Tatum. The Knicks may never get the chance to pick him.
De'Aaron Fox, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina and even Malik Monk should be options as well, but their point guard skills are going to go to waste on a team running the triangle offense.
Jackson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and three assists per game this season.