The Knicks have made a flurry of trades, but they finally found a young point guard to develop around in West Virginia standout Mile McBride. With a desperate need for a young player to develop behind a veteran, McBride fits the bill perfectly.
Marc Berman of The Post stated recently that West Virginia point guard Mile McBride was a target for Thibodeau, who saw tons of upside:
According to one league source, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was pushing for West Virginia sophomore point guard Miles McBride, who has been projected in some mocks as an early second-round or late first-round pick. It’s unclear at which slot Thibodeau would prefer to select McBride — No. 19 or 21 in the first round, or No. 32 early in the second round — but the 20-year-old impressed him in his Knicks workout.
McBride stands out in a few categories, averaging 15.9 points, 4.8 assists, and shooting 43% from the field last year. From range, he connected on 41% over 3.8 attempts. His abilities on defense are also intriguing, averaging 1.9 steals per game, indicating solid vision and the ability to cut through passing lanes. He represents a low-key PG prospect who could develop nicely given the right opportunity.
Having traded back several times, the Knicks were lucky to snag him at 36, and with the biggest hands in the entire Draft class among guards, he is savvy with his handles and poking the ball away from offensive players. He’s a perfect fit for Thibodeau and his style — his upside as a defender and solid offensive production could represent a long-term solution at point guard for the Knicks.