Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft: Matisse Thybulle rises, Sixers grab scorer
3. player. 27. . G. New York Knicks. Darius Garland
Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft — 3. Darius Garland, New York Knicks
There’s a strong case for New York to stick with “their guy” and just re-take R.J. Barrett, who emerged as a legitimate second or third option last season. The Knicks’ recent acquisitions of Derrick Rose and Kemba Walker have also decreased the immediate need for a small, offensive-minded point guard.
All that said, the pick here is Darius Garland. There’s too much value rooted in a solid long-term primary initiator to pass on the opportunity to select one. Garland has a ways to go — especially on defense — but his skill set is perfectly melded to the modern NBA, and he’s an excellent complement to Julius Randle.
Garland’s sophomore season saw him average 17.4 points and 6.1 assists on a highly efficient .451/.395./.848 from the field. He’s a pick-and-roll maestro, with a silky pull-up jumper and dynamic court vision. He allows New York to invest money in different places, but more importantly, he’s arguably the centerpiece of New York’s future.