New York Knicks fans should start learning about these centers since the 2022 NBA Draft is only two weeks away.
Two of the top three candidates for this year’s MVP award, including the winner, were centers – Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. Despite an evolution in gameplay that features fewer back-to-the-basket centers and more stretch fours and fives, the importance of the big man is still present in today’s game.
The New York Knicks are in a quandary regarding their center, Mitchell Robinson. At 24 years of age, Robinson remains a strong rim protector who can alter shots and change the game plan for opposing offenses. In addition, he’s improved his offensive rebounding and has curtailed his tendency to commit unnecessary fouls. That being said, his offensive output is incredibly limited (while very efficient), and his foul shooting has hit a career-low.
As I’ve said in previous draft pieces, the Knicks must select the best player or trade-up for the best available talent. This year’s crop of centers include athletic and versatile players that could provide great value on a rookie contract.
3. Walker Kessler – Center/Big, Auburn
Walker Kessler is a 20-year-old, seven-foot-one, 245-pound center with a seven-foot-four wingspan that played for the Auburn Tigers. Kessler finished his sophomore season averaging 11.4 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. On top of that, the Georgia-native shot 60.8 percent from the floor, 20 percent from the three-point line, and 59.6 percent from the free-throw line. Kessler was also selected for the All-SEC, All-SEC defensive teams, and All-SEC defensive player of the year.
Kessler started his college career at Chapel Hill in North Carolina. However, he transferred to Auburn after his freshman year. Even before he met future teammate Jabari Smith, both faced off against each other in the Georgia State High School playoffs. With Smith’s outside shooting and Kessler’s presence as a rim protector, the two became one of the strongest frontcourts in the SEC this past season. Kessler finished the season top four in the nation in box-plus-minus (14.1) and first in defensive box-plus-minus (8.0).
For some context, over the last few seasons, the latest players to finish the season with a bpm over 14 were Zion Williamson and Brandon Clarke. I don’t believe Kessler will be a star in the NBA, but he will be productive.
NBA Ready Skill: Rim protection. Kessler led the nation with 155 blocks this past season and averaged 4.6 blocks a game. With great size, but not necessarily the quickness that comes with being an elite athlete, Kessler relies on positioning and expert timing with most of his blocks. Kessler’s block total would’ve led the NCAA the past five seasons. Kessler, who was asked to anchor the defense, also doesn’t foul a lot. The sophomore committed 88 personal fouls in 871 minutes of play, averaging 2.6 fouls per game.
Kessler’s performance in a win against Kentucky in January was exceptional. Despite it not being Walker’s most impressive statistical performance of the season (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Kessler was everywhere on the court. He was productive in the pick-and-roll, finished a ton of lob dunks, and kept National Player of the Year Oscar Tschiebwe in check.
Kessler also finished this season with a rebound percentage of 16.6 percent and a block percentage of 19.1 percent. Compared with some of the other top centers in this class, Kessler finished with a higher block percentage than both Duke’s Mark Williams (11.4 percent) and Arizona’s Christian Koloko (10.3 percent).
Fit with the Knicks: Knicks fans may not like this, but I love Kessler’s fit with the Knicks. His odds of landing with the orange and blue are not high, but he’s a better rim protector than Mitchell Robinson RIGHT NOW, and there’s a chance he can develop a perimeter shot. I love Mitch, but his offensive development has been more gradual than I would like. Plus, he’s only improved in two areas – offensive rebounds and foul rate. Overall, the Knicks are not desperate for bigs, but if they found a way to grab another late first-round pick, or by some stroke of luck, Kessler lasted until the 42nd pick, the Knicks should pounce.
2. Mark Williams – Center/Big, Duke
Mark Williams is a 20-year-old, seven-foot, 242-pound center with a ridiculous seven-foot-seven wingspan. Williams finished his sophomore year averaging 11.2 points per game, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. The Virginia-native shot 72.1 percent from the floor and 72.7 percent from the free-throw line. Williams registered one three-point shot during his two years at Duke, so it’s safe to say that a deep perimeter game is not in the cards yet. Williams also finished the year with an All-ACC selection, All-ACC Defense, and was ACC Defensive player of the year. During the NCAA tournament, the Duke standout also averaged 13.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, and shot 81.6 percent from the floor.
Williams reportedly helped his draft stock with outstanding measurables at the draft combine. Williams’ nine-foot-nine standing reach was second all-time only to Tacko Fall. As a result, one scout called Williams “the best five in the draft.” His natural talents led him to the 17th best block rate in the nation and second-best offensive rating per KenPom. Williams was an incredibly efficient and impactful player on both sides of the court, given his usage rate. For that reason, it’s easy to see why executives and scouts are excited by Williams’ future.
NBA Ready Skill: Similar to Kessler, William’s rim protection will be a selling point that can land him in the lottery. Williams finished fifth in the nation with 110 blocks. However, he separates himself from Kessler with his ability to run the floor. Williams developed good chemistry with Paolo Banchero last season, especially in the pick-and-roll. The highlight-reel lob dunk may appear to have only a surface-level effect, yet Williams’ thunderous dunks shifted the momentum in multiple games this season. Eighty-four percent of Williams’ field goals came at the rim, and he finished 78 percent of those attempts.
While there’s plenty to like, I would say that Williams’ defense, outside of rim protection, still needs some work. Whenever he presses up from drop coverage, I’ve seen him take some questionable angles when trying to stop guards from getting to the hoop. The learning curve might be steep, but I would take a chance on Williams, given his other talents. To his credit, Williams did total more rebounds (289) than Memphis’ Jalen Duren, Kessler, and Arizona’s Christian Koloko. He also totaled more offensive rebounds (101) than the trio mentioned above.
Fit with the Knicks: Even the scouts who love Williams agree that taking him at 11 is a bit of a reach. He could make his way into the lottery, but most mock drafts have him around the 13-15 range. Again, a lot of this would have to hinge on Mitchell Robinson’s presence on the team. I refuse to put too much stock into Williams’ empty gym workout, where he drained plenty of outside shots. Yet, the form looked good. And if you feel that your development staff can create a stretch five, Williams’ measurements and skillset alone make him an enticing look.
1. Jalen Duren – Center/Big Memphis
Jalen Duren is an 18-year-old, six-foot-eleven, 250-pound center with a seven-foot-five wingspan. Duren played his lone year of college basketball at Memphis and played his high school ball at RJ Barrett’s alma mater, Montverde Academy in Florida. This past season, Duren averaged 12 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. He shot 59.7 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from the free-throw line. Like Williams, Duren took very few shots from the three-point line, so it will be some time before he starts garnering any interest as a stretch five.
Duren finished the season with the following awards: All-American Athletic Conference selection, AAC All-Freshman team selection, and AAC rookie of the year. The first thing that stands out about Duren is his physical frame. He has an NBA body at the age of 18, and there will be no questions about how he will handle the physicality at the pro level. Additionally, Duren’s development during his first year should leave executives and scouts feeling encouraged about his ability to reach his potential.
NBA Ready Skill: Functional athleticism. Whether you see this as god-given talent or a skill/tool that can improve over time, it’s vital in the NBA. Not many players with Duren’s lateral quickness and vertical explosiveness are walking the planet at his age and size. Duren can explode off one or two feet to grab rebounds and alter shots. The highlight-reel chase-down block is definitely in his bag, and the Pennsylvania-native totaled 17 games with two or more blocks this past season.
Duren is also very dangerous as the roll man in the pick-and-roll (this is where he will thrive in the NBA). Per HoopsMath, Duren finished 72.8 percent of his shots at the rim. Although, Duren doesn’t need to score to be effective since he has improved as a passer.
Early on, Duren looked indecisive and struggled with decision-making when facing a double-team. It was too common to see Duren hold the ball low and commit a turnover. But as the season progressed, I caught a more mature Duren whip one-handed passes out to the wings for open threes.
On the other side of the court, Duren is a decent defender with the upside to be a top-shot blocker in the league. And as the college season progressed, he did improve as a post-defender.
Now, of course, at 18, there are plenty of ways Duren can improve. For a big, his free-throw percentage needs to improve, and if he can become more efficient at shooting the baseline pull-up, his game will open up tremendously. Duren can’t create much on his own, and his offense is limited to lobs and putbacks, but I’d still take his physical frame, athleticism, and age over any big in the draft and any big that the Knicks currently have on the roster.
Fit with the Knicks: Coming out of high school, Duren was considered the number one recruit in the nation for the 2022 class. Yet he reclassified, skipped his senior year of high school, and played for Memphis. Although Duren had his ups and downs, his development has been impressive. Regarding the fit with the Knicks, I would love to see him paired with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. Offensively, there will be some similarities with Mitchell Robinson, but Duren’s upside and age would be significant factors for the Knicks development staff to work with and develop a star.
Honorable mention: Arizona’s Christian Koloko and French International Ismael Kamagate would be the next two bigs on my list. Koloko capped off his career at Arizona with an impressive junior year where he had career-highs in points per game, rebounds per game, blocks per game, field goal percentage, and free-throw percentage. Kamagate is an athletic shot-blocker who does well in transition and has good upside.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out the KFTV panel complete their first NBA Lottery Mock Draft for the 2022 NBA Draft!
