NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks Select Indiana Hoosiers Pair
Even though the NBA season hasn't started yet, it's never too early to look at what next year's draft class could look like.
For now, the New York Knicks have four picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, including two selections that could very well end up in the top 20: they still have their original choice while they also have first-round picks from Dallas, Detroit, and Washington with various layers of protection. Those selections could well be traded as the Knicks continue to hunt for a superstar, as their draft pick surplus has often been the first thing to go in hypothetical trades.
While the picks are still in their grasp, Bleacher Report's latest mock draft has the Knicks selecting a pair of Indiana Hoosiers in Mackenzie Mgbako (14th, from Dallas) and Kel'El Ware (20th).
"For a 6'8", 217-pound wing, Mackenzie Mgbako's shot-making and play-finishing will quickly stand out," Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman writes of the freshman. "After decommitting from Duke to join Indiana, he should be looking at an optimal role and freedom to experiment and showcase some newer face-up creation and isolation scoring."
Oregon center Kel'el Ware drags down a rebound as the Oregon Ducks host Wisconsin in the quarterfinal round of the NIT Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore.
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Mgbako could give the Knicks another wing who can create, which could take some pressure off Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Getting drafted by the Knicks would be a return to the tri-state area for Mgbako, who grew up in New Jersey and earned McDonald's All-American honors at Roselle Catholic last season.
For their other selection from Bloomington, the Knicks would take Ware, who transferred to Indiana this year after a disappointing freshman season at Oregon. He was limited to only 15 minutes a game and made just four starts, which led to him exploring his options in the transfer portal.
"Scouts mostly acknowledge Ware's lottery talent and NBA fit, but he has something to prove after fading into the background at Oregon," Wasserman says. "Now with Indiana, he's in a far better situation to build rhythm/confidence and showcase more post skill and shooting touch."
Ware was a five-star recruit out of high school but wasn't given much of an opportunity at Oregon. By transferring to Indiana, Ware has a chance to prove himself worthy of a first-round selection in next summer's draft.
The Hoosiers, fresh off a 23-win season and their first NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament victory since 2016, are coached by former Knicks boss Mike Woodson. They'll open their season at home against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 7.
