Stefan Bondy makes his prediction on the players the Knicks will select with their two first-round picks in the 2024 NBA Draft which begins on Wednesday:
No 24. Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana
At 7-feet with an impressive wingspan and comparisons to Jarrett Allen, Ware is a legitimate rim protector and Tom Thibodeau-type center as the Knicks look for insurance for the oft-injured Mitchell Robinson.
He flew into New York for a workout in front of Thibodeau just two days before the draft, suggesting a higher level of interest.
There are two potential problems: 1) Ware didn’t show much confidence or aggression at Indiana, which could be a problem under Thibodeau, and 2) Ware would have to fall from his projections to land with the Knicks.
No. 25. Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
A top-shelf wing defender who overachieved and improved in college after being an under-recruited prospect in high school.
His defense will translate to the NBA, but Dunn’s NBA success will be defined by his shooting improvements.
He was poor offensively at Virginia, and will get pulled off the floor — or relegated to a defensive substitution — if he can’t hit an open jumper.
The Knicks have made a few defense-first draft selections recently (Frank Ntilikina, Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, Quentin Grimes, Jericho Sims), and Dunn could be another one.