Knicks Draft Kevin McCullar (56) and Ariel Hukporti (58)

[Capn'O]

Keep going. I'm invested

I'm so glad.

We just kept trading Down and for future picks. But then we also traded 3 future 2nds for Tina Kotek Tyler Kolek at 34. Every time we came up and thought we had a guy we actually didn't. Finally, when we had Pick 56, NBA.com was reporting that it had been traded again but we actually kept it and drafted a 4 year senior whose stock dropped due to injury. I've never been so entertained by the 2nd round. I only followed ours but everyone else was trading too.

There was also a whole Bronny thing going on but I was Twitter viewing and ignored it. He's playing with his dad! Pretty cool.

CAPtivating.


Besides being entertained, what's your take on the players we drafted?

I'm only just getting to know them but:

Dadiet is a sweet shooter in the mold of Shaeden Sharpe. Seems like he has a ways to go as far as developing a complete game. Very well received in the media

Kolek fits our need for a backup point. Highest assist guy in college and a hard nosed player. Undersized and not known for defense. 4 year player and likely wysiwyg.

McCullar looks like a wing who could eat some injury minutes if needed

Hukporti - I didn't see him as having NBA level footwork. Project big.

[3toheadmelo]

Watch on YouTube

[Zenzibar]

Courtesy of DraftRoom

Kevin McCullar Jr.
NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
POSITION: SG FROM: Kansas HT: 6-6 WT: 210
BORN: NA YEAR: Sr. WING: NA REACH: NA
x
Draft Notes
While McCullar Jr. doesn’t project as a star at the NBA level he’s one of the more NBA ready players in the 2024 NBA draft and should be able to step in early in his career and contribute.

He’s a standout defender who can guard three positions and also plays really good team defense. He’s got good size and strength for a guard, although he isn’t an elite run/jump athlete.

He’s become a much better catch and shooter player and has really improved from downtown. Becoming a knockdown shooter will go a long way towards helping him have a long and successful NBA career.

Comparisons
Josh Hart

[Context]

Read on Twitter

[DaGawd]

Courtesy of DraftRoom

Kevin McCullar Jr.
NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
POSITION: SG FROM: Kansas HT: 6-6 WT: 210
BORN: NA YEAR: Sr. WING: NA REACH: NA
x
Draft Notes
While McCullar Jr. doesn’t project as a star at the NBA level he’s one of the more NBA ready players in the 2024 NBA draft and should be able to step in early in his career and contribute.

He’s a standout defender who can guard three positions and also plays really good team defense. He’s got good size and strength for a guard, although he isn’t an elite run/jump athlete.

He’s become a much better catch and shooter player and has really improved from downtown. Becoming a knockdown shooter will go a long way towards helping him have a long and successful NBA career.

Comparisons
Josh Hart

we got young grimes back

[F N 11]

https://youtu.be/ddpzxQkgkWo?si=3h41x5nHcD0CFW_e

[KnicksGadfly]

Got a good mix of upside and development vs ready to play players. I like it.

When we're missing first rounders like we are, it's not a bad bet to make.

[Clyde_Style]

McCullar's clips surprised me. He has the fluidity and rhythm of a natural scorer. Not sure how good he actually is or will be, but he looks a lot more game ready than the French kid we picked earlier.

Maybe his defense generates the Hart comps, but on the offensive end he looks way smoother than Josh.

[knicksfan974]

Don't know about them but man I really wanted Knicks to hold on to Ajinca. Dude impressed me in 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup, finishing 2nd in scoring in the tournament (behind a Madagascar star guard) and leading team France in scoring. Remember that team also had Risacher and Sarr on the roster...

[BadNewsBarnes]

Read on Twitter

So if we are comparing Ariel to Noah, does that mean he sucks at free throw shooting too?

[Zenzibar]

Courtesy of DraftRoom

Kevin McCullar Jr.
NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
POSITION: SG FROM: Kansas HT: 6-6 WT: 210
BORN: NA YEAR: Sr. WING: NA REACH: NA
x
Draft Notes
While McCullar Jr. doesn’t project as a star at the NBA level he’s one of the more NBA ready players in the 2024 NBA draft and should be able to step in early in his career and contribute.

He’s a standout defender who can guard three positions and also plays really good team defense. He’s got good size and strength for a guard, although he isn’t an elite run/jump athlete.

He’s become a much better catch and shooter player and has really improved from downtown. Becoming a knockdown shooter will go a long way towards helping him have a long and successful NBA career.

Comparisons
Josh Hart

we got young grimes back

Or younger Josh Hart

[HarthorneWingo]

Did some wheeling and dealing to get here but I’m pretty satisfied with this draft.

Pretty good offseason I’d say.

[Context]

Watch on YouTube

[KOA]

It was probably the buzz, but I could have sworn I heard "A real hokey pokey" when the 58th pick was announced

[knicks94]

Hukporti looks like he could be Ewing's son.

[thebuzzardman]

Watch on YouTube

Has some offensive moves, footwork looks there but could use some polish, seems to have good court sense in the P&R etc, motor, jumps, solid passer.

Sims replacement, at the least.

[j4remi]

I'm so glad.

We just kept trading Down and for future picks. But then we also traded 3 future 2nds for Tina Kotek Tyler Kolek at 34. Every time we came up and thought we had a guy we actually didn't. Finally, when we had Pick 56, NBA.com was reporting that it had been traded again but we actually kept it and drafted a 4 year senior whose stock dropped due to injury. I've never been so entertained by the 2nd round. I only followed ours but everyone else was trading too.

There was also a whole Bronny thing going on but I was Twitter viewing and ignored it. He's playing with his dad! Pretty cool.

Adding to the chaos (and fun), Woj and Shams were having twitter issues. So, people weren't able to spoil the picks or trade movement as it all unfolded.

[The Lamma]

Read on Twitter

I'm pleased with the results of this draft, but there's one thing I don't understand here. We traded the 51st pick for the 58th pick and... cash?! What? Isn't this Dolan's money and don't we not give a fck about spending it?

That could have made a huge difference, and maybe they did end up picking someone other than who they wanted more. We'll never know. Traded down twice for a lower pick and cash

[thebuzzardman]

Read on Twitter

I'm pleased with the results of this draft, but there's one thing I don't understand here. We traded the 51st pick for the 58th pick and... cash?! What? Isn't this Dolan's money and don't we not give a fck about spending it?

That could have made a huge difference, and maybe they did end up picking someone other than who they wanted more. We'll never know. Traded down twice for a lower pick and cash

Yeah, what are the implications of cash in a trade? Any towards the cap? Otherwise it just seems odd.

[dakomish23]

I listened to a few podcasts with Givony and he mentioned McCullar as a great option who's gonna drop but was on his way to All America 1st team. I was watching some video and I get it. He kind of does it all.

I can't believe we got him. LOVE THIS MOVE. Hopefully he gets healthy soon