The New York Knicks have been adamant about one thing that they must add to their team this offseason: Perimeter shooting. The lack of shooting has hampered the Knicks’ offense in 2019. One player that could help solve the problem is Vanderbilt Sophomore Aaron Nesmith.
Nesmith is the best shooter in the entire draft. He shot an other-worldly 52% from three on over 8 attempts per game this past season. Overall he averaged just over 23 points a game for the Commodores. He can flat out score.
While we don’t know exactly where in the draft the New York Knicks will be picking, Nesmith would be a reach if they were to end up with a top 5 pick. He would more likely be an option with the Clippers’ pick that the Knicks acquired in the Marcus Morris Sr. trade.
Fitting in with the Knicks
If the Knicks can nab Nesmith with the Clippers’ pick, he could be of tremendous value. At 6’6 tall and weighing 213lbs Nesmith can play the 2 or the 3 at the NBA level. Having shooters like Nesmith will spread the floor and ultimately benefit everyone.
Athletically, he’s not anywhere near some of the top prospects, and that is his greatest flaw. Of course, what he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for as a dead-eye shooter. Opposing defenses simply can’t afford to let him roam the perimeter undetected.
His ceiling may not be that of a superstar, but you cannot always draft a player based on top-end potential. Nesmith is a high IQ player who is the best pure shooter in the entire draft. The Knicks need to start surrounding their playmakers with shooters, and Aaron Nesmith could help out right away.