New York Knicks: 4 way-too-early 2019 NBA Draft targets

[caption id="attachment_329454" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Photo by Lance King/Getty Images[/caption]rn The New York Knicks are probably going to find themselves picking high in the 2019 NBA Draft, so it's never too early to look at a few potential targets. rnit is fair to say that the New York Knicks will not be a part of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. With their big star Kristaps Porzingis out and no timetable for his return, nobody expects big things from this team -- at least for now.rnrnAfter starting the season with a 4-8 record, they find themselves having the seventh-worst record in the entire NBA, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves .rnrnThen again, there are teams like the Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks who are set to bounce back after a rough start to the season. As a result, the Knicks are pretty much heading for that top-five pick from a realistic point of view.rnrnNevertheless, it is fair to say that a number of teams will be looking to tank the ongoing season in order to get the chance to snatch one of the following prospects.rnrnHere are four top 2019 NBA Draft prospects the New York Knicks should scout thoroughly and target next June.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%204" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_329282" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Photo by Lance King/Getty Images[/caption]rn 4. Cameron Reddish rnCameron Reddish could easily become a superstar in the NBA. He is a relentless scorer, both at the rim and from behind the arc. His great first step dribble could shape New York’s offense into a high paced offense, something that is often missing from the team’s style of play.rnrnIn a draft class full of freakishly athletic players that dominate the game with their size and muscles, Reddish might be considered as the most talented player about to enter the draft.rnrnHe is a 6’8’’ player with a 7’1’’ wingspan that is mostly used as a shooting guard, but the word “versatile” could really easily be used to describe him. Due to his length, he would be a perfect stretch-4 whenever coach David Fizdale wants to run a small-ball lineup.rnrnNow Reddish is a part of an extremely exciting and entertaining Duke team that could find themselves NCAA champions at the end of the season. The combination of Reddish, his teammates and coach Mike Krzyzewski could show the basketball world that Reddish is a wild pick for a franchise player for every team entering the draft.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%203" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_329449" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images[/caption]rn 3. Romeo Langford rnRomeo Langford is another top prospect the Knicks should see themselves getting in next year's draft.rnrnLangford is a relentless scoring machine who can score in almost every way possible, wreaking havoc on every opponent that attempts to guard him. His unselfishness and court vision are all attributes that have helped the process of him becoming a great all-around player.rnrnRomeo Langford was born in Indiana, where he learned to play basketball by idolizing --who else?-- LeBron James . Sticking to his hometown, Langford is now a member of the Indiana Hoosiers basketball team, and is their undeniable leader.rnrnStanding 6'6'', his 6'11'' wingspan allows him to score with ease over guards that share his size. It seems like Langford doesn't have any major holes in his game. A fairly low free throw percentage (he shot 5-for-11 in his debut) is not something that should scare away potential selectors, especially when you weigh in his tremendous upside.rnrnhttps://twitter.com/IndianaOnBTN/status/1058139253115420672rnrnNow we are finally going to be able to see what this top-five prospect can do at a collegiate level. If his game transitions smoothly over from high school, Indiana fans should be in for a treat.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%202" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_329455" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Photo by Lance King/Getty Images[/caption]rn 2. R.J. Barrett rnGetting the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery is about to be both a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, teams will be making their selection among a group of excellent and very promising players that could end up in the record books when it’s all said and done.rnrnBut then again, having to choose between R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson is not an easy task. Certain to be the No. 1 asked question throughout the entire collegiate season, no one can actually make a strong case as to who goes first, and who follows as a close second.rnrnIn the opening game of the season against Kentucky, Barrett tallied 33 points along with six assists to kick off what is about to be a very exciting season for the Canadian guard. Even though he is not exactly a sharpshooter from 3-point range, all of his other offensive qualities outweigh that small anomaly.rnrnhttps://twitter.com/_jiggyjarrett/status/1060184718094802945?s=20rnrnAnybody who has watched Barrett play is already familiar with what he brings to the floor. As a 6’7’’ shooting guard with natural athleticism and a great skill-set that is set to segue into the NBA, Barrett is someone the New York Knicks should look really closely into.rnrn[nextslide teaser="No.%201" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_328283" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Photo by Lance King/Getty Images[/caption]rn 1. Zion Williamson rnIs it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s just that kid from Duke again.rnrnWriting a piece about Zion may seem like an easy thing to do after all that hype he has received, but the thing is, you can’t really put into words what this kid is doing every time he touches the basketball.rnrnThe year is 2015. You log into Facebook and check your timeline while jamming to Kendrick’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” only to find a video posted by your favorite basketball-related fan page titled “Zion Williamson from Spartanburg insane dunks!”. Life’s good.rnrnProbably the most hyped draft prospect of all time, Zion is considered by a wide audience as the next LeBron James. The similarities are uncanny. Both have been hyped since middle school. Both possess freakishly unnatural athleticism and both have the ability to turn a franchise around.rnrnhttps://twitter.com/BBallSociety_/status/1060028928516075522?s=20rnrnEntering the NBA, Zion is about to be the second-heaviest player in the league, only losing the crown to Boban Marjanovic , who happens to be eigh inches taller than Williamson. Weighing 285 pounds and having this kind of unprecedented athleticism make up the "once in a generation" type of player that is Zion.rnrnhttps://youtu.be/MYnpO03crr8rnrnSimilar to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ben Simmons , there is no telling as to what Williamson can accomplish if he develops a solid and reliable 3-point shot. Even though he is a much better shooter than the aforementioned NBA stars, his shot is not quite at an NBA-level just yet.rnrn[story_link_next description="Week%204%20NBA%20Power%20Rankings" url="https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/05/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-4/" /]rnrnZion Williamson is a big-time player specifically designed for a big-time city. He has already proved that he is not afraid of being in the spotlight and that he is a showtime type of player. Maybe the New York Knicks should have their eyes set on the 6’7’’ forward to pair up with their superstar, Kristaps Porzingis, and form a dynamic duo that could signal a dynasty.

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New York Knicks: 4 way-too-early 2019 NBA Draft targets

The New York Knicks are probably going to find themselves picking high in the 2019 NBA Draft, so it’s never too early to look at a few potential targets.

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