The New York Knicks roster is built to contend in the Eastern Conference but it's worth wondering what they'll do with their surplus picks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In a mock draft penned by Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman, Kansas shooting guard Kevin McCullar Jr is the first of four Knicks picks at 17th overall (order determined by recording entering Wednesday's games), all coming within the first 36 selections. The 22-year-old McCullar is coming off a career-best season that saw him average 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds en route to third-team All-Big 12 honors after transferring from Texas Tech.
"A borderline draft pick in 2023, Kevin McCullar Jr. has looked different this year, showing elevated creation, finishing, and playmaking firepower," Wasserman writes, comparing McCullar Jr. to current Oklahoma City Thunder reserve Kenrich Williams. "Getting to his spots, scoring through contact, and setting up teammates with stationary and live-dribble passes, he seemingly has a stronger command and control of each possession."
To that point, McCullar has upped his offensive game through six appearances: McCullar Jr. has been averaging 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor. His early efforts include a 12-point, 10-assist, 10-rebound triple-double in the top-ranked Jayhawks' win over Kentucky on Nov. 14 in Chicago.
In comparison to Bleacher Report's prior mock, McCullar Jr. was the biggest riser, going 30 picks higher than his previous selection.
With their other potential picks, New York selected forward Baba Miller (Florida State, 22nd), forward Tidjane Salaun (France, 31st), and guard Reed Sheppard (Kentucky, 36th).
The Knicks might not even be making their own picks in the 2024 NBA Draft if they decide to use the pick as leverage in a trade this season. New York has been linked to multiple star players thanks to their excessive draft batch with various layers of protection.
Having recently placed third in the Maui Invitational, McCullar Jr. and the Jayhawks (5-1) return to action on Tuesday at home against Eastern Illinois (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+). The Knicks, on the other hand, host the Phoenix Suns on Sunday evening (6 p.m. ET, MSG).
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