NBA SIMS LEAGUE
It has been a ghost town in the locker rooms of MSG lately, the players are enjoying the off season before returning to training camp. Following the second-round exit from the playoffs, the front office has been the only place at full flight, moving into the 2023 draft which saw the team hold pick 28.
The night came and went by quickly, but the Knicks are satisfied they capitalised to the best of their ability on their selection. With multiple names on their draft board at the time, the Knicks never hesitated to call out Andre Jackson Jr. out of Connecticut with the 28th pick.
An explosive, playmaking wing who loves to get out in transition and create for his teammates in fast paced scenarios. At 6'6" with a 6'10" wing span Jackson possesses the ability to be a defensive stopper at the next level. With elite aggressiveness and hustle which is something you cannot teach, the Knicks feel he should be able to carve out a solid NSL career.
With strengths, come weaknesses. Although the Knicks don’t like to think negatively on this, the team know that he will require a lot of work in certain areas. His lack of scoring ability and offensive touch could become an issue at the next level, but with the right veterans around him they feel he can develop into a good two way player some day.
Reports are already in that the Knicks will not waste anytime signing the rookie to his first contract. The terms of the deal have not been released yet, but rumours say that it will be a 4yr deal worth around $7.6mil.
It is no secret that Julius Randle will be on the way out of the Knicks franchise, in return for a haul of rotational players and draft assets. The latest rumour circulating around New York is that the team have unofficially closed a deal for veteran Point guard Mike Conley.
If the rumours are indeed correct, it will be interesting to see the next step for the Knicks in terms of their current point guards Marcus Smart and Cole Anthony.
In other small news, Terance Mann has been sent to the New Orleans Pelicans along with two future 2nd rounders in return for the 2027 (PHI) 1st round draft pick.
