National Basketball Association

Five prospects the New York Knicks might draft with the No. 4 pick

Published May. 20, 2015 2:03 p.m. ET

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The Knicks had the second-best odds at the first overall pick going into Tuesday night's lottery. Potentially garnering the No. 1 selection was something that had been talked about in New York for over a month. But it didn't work out.

By the end of Tuesday evening, we had learned that New York would select fourth come June 25th's draft, leading to a bunch of immediate rumors about how the Knicks' first-rounder was now on the block. Still, they might use this pick, and if they do, here are some of the guys they'll have to consider in that spot.

1. Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke

Okafor certainly has his legitimate questions. It wouldn't be shocking if he were a bust. He's slow-footed defensively and hasn't yet learned how to guard the pick-and-roll. He's a poor free-throw shooter. He's not yet an anchor for a team. But Okafor has some skills which translate wonderfully to NBA ball, especially in the triangle offense the Knicks are trying to run. A dominant post-up game and a bevy of scoring moves around the basket makes the Duke prospect a potentially perfect fit for the triangle offense. The problem is that Okafor is in consideration for the first- or second-overall pick. He almost certainly won't be around at No. 4.

2. Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Kentucky

Towns is another guy with a similar debacle to Okafor's. The Knicks may have lost out on him when they fell all the way to four. Still, the top of this draft class is so talented, that it wouldn't be shocking to see other prospects pass these guys after interviews and individual workouts. It's completely possible. Towns is a modern-day big man. He can screen, contribute in the pick-and-roll and defend. He's an upper-echelon athlete who's already a quality and willing passer. He can do it all, and has an underrated offensive skill set at this point. However, he'll probably end up in Minnesota or Los Angeles, even if he did grow up a Knicks fan.

3. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, China

Now, this man could be New York's guy. Mudiay was supposed to go to SMU to play for Larry Brown this past year, but changed his mind right before his freshman season and decided to go play in China, instead. Still, all you hear about the sophomore-aged point guard is how great of a kid and teammate he has been, especially while he was in China. Mudiay is a powerful, athletic point guard, someone with the shoulders and size to become a two-way player in the NBA. He already has wonderful court vision and he has some traits that make some people scream, "Oh my gosh! He looks just like Russell Westbrook or John Wall out there!" And he does. The problem is that he's still learning to shoot. But many young guards share that characteristic. If he can ever pick up a consistent shot, he's going to be really scary.

4. D'Angelo Russell, G, Ohio State

Don't get my fined, D'Angelo. I'm not Phil Jackson. You can't treat me like that.

Russell had a tremendous season at Ohio State this past year, improving throughout his sole season in red and white. He's got that lefty feel to him—crafty with a side of slithery. But he's tremendously skilled. He's a wonderful shooter with an absolutely killer handle who can cross over guys, get to the rim and finish there. There's a bunch of James Harden in Russell, and not just because both of those guys are left-handed. We know the Knicks like him. If he's sitting there at No. 4 and the Knicks still have their pick, maybe he's the one whose name they will call.

5. Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Kentucky

Cauley-Stein probably won't go fourth, but he could be a nice fit next to Carmelo Anthony if the Knicks were willing to amend their offense a bit. Cauley-Stein could never work in the triangle, since he's not much of a post-up threat and isn't the passer New York would need from the block, but if the Knicks want to change, he could be the new Tyson Chandler at MSG. He's an athlete freak and a tremendous rim protector. He blocks shots, sets screens, finishes dunks and lobs. He's, well, he's much like Chandler was next to Anthony. But again, the Knicks would need to change, and they wouldn't want him fourth. If they could trade down to sixth or seventh, pick up a legitimate player or extra pick and take Cauley-Stein, though, that might be something they'd have to consider.