With the NBA trade deadline having passed, the New York Knicks' expansive draft cabinet is secure for the time being. As it stands, the Knicks hold two picks in the opening round of this spring's selections.
With that in mind, the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report in time for the All-Star break has the Knicks selecting point guard Devin Carter out of Providence. The current order places that pick at 18th overall and would serve as the first-round choice obtained from Dallas in the 2019 trade headlined by Kristaps Porzingis.
"Previously valued mostly for his defensive pressure, peskiness, and intensity, (Carter) has become one of the nation's most potent, confident shot-makers," Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman writes. "There will be no shortage of suitors interested in adding his two-way energy, craftiness, and now dangerous shooting."
In his first two seasons of college ball (having spent his freshman year at South Carolina), Carter shot under 29 percent from the three-point line but he has upped that success rate to over 38 as a junior starter.
The 6-3 Carter is the Friars' leading scorer through 24 games, putting up a career-best 18.8 a game to go with 8.0 rebounds, which ranks second on the team. Carter recently got a taste of Madison Square Garden action back on Jan. 10, putting in a 31-point, 13-rebound double-double against St. John's.
Drafting Carter would certainly Jalen Brunson some support in the backcourt, especially with the future of in-season imports uncertain: OG Anunoby will likely decline the player option that came over from Toronto while former Detroit Piston Alec Burks is due to hit unrestricted free agency.
The 2024 NBA Draft will be held June 26-27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
More must-reads: