The New York Knicks could take an impressive freshman out of Kansas in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, Kansas wing Johnny Furphy is projected to be a late first-round pick with major upside in this year’s draft, giving the Knicks the chance to put him on their queue (h/t Jeremy Brener of Fan Nation’s All Knicks):
“Although Furphy left the door open for a return to Kansas, the likelihood he hears his name called in the first round may be enough to keep him in the draft — his youth, athleticism and shooting potential give him pretty real upside, provided he can get up to speed on the defensive end,” ESPN writes.
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Furphy averaged nine points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.2 percent shooting from the three-point line in 24.1 minutes for Jayhawks last season. He had eight games with 15 or more points in 2023-24, all of which he shot at least 55.6 percent or better from the floor and 40 percent or better from deep.
Improving his stock is his NBA-ready 6-8, 202-pound frame. The Australian prospect is a large guard/forward that could even see time at the four under Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau and fill a major area of need for the team.
Johnny Furphy could be a profitable investment for the Knicks
The Knicks have several needs this offseason, but Furphy could be a good selection for New York to develop over time. Should the Knicks take a center with the No. 24 overall pick, which is their most pressing need at the moment, Furphy will be a player of interest with their next pick at No. 25 overall, along with other combo forwards that could back up or spell for All-Star Julius Randle in 2024-25.