NBA

2017 NBA Mock Draft: Who Each Lottery Team Should Pick

Brett Oswalt  —  @bRo14thekid May 18th, 2017
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8. New York Knicks: Dennis Smith, PG/SG

Team needs: Guard production, shooting efficiency, forcing turnovers

Assuming the Derrick Rose/New York Knicks is done -- a fair assumption -- the Knickerbockers are in desperate need of a versatile floor general.

At least in fit, Dennis Smith, Jr. is the best player available. As opposed to Fox, Smith offers versatility and the ability to knock down from deep, which should help the Knicks improve upon their 49.6% effective field goal percentage. In producing 29 points per 100 possessions, the 6'3" guard made 35.9% from beyond the arc for a final effective goal rate of 52%.

The 19-year-old also added 9.8 assists and 3.1 steals on a 100-possession basis. That's particularly appealing for the Knicks since they finished the season ranked 23rd in steals per game (7.1) and 26th in defensive turnover percentage (11.7%).

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