Knicks · 2026 Draft (6/23 & 6/24) (page 11)
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24. New York Knicks – PG/SG Meleek Thomas – Arkansas, Freshman
Fresh off winning the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks are said to be considering multiple prospects in this range as a potential replacement for Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt. That is why Tarris Reed Jr. and Henri Veesaar are gaining some traction in this spot. But for weeks now, Meleek Thomas has been linked to the Knicks and has spent a ton of time with the organization's leadership, including attending multiple playoff games at Madison Square Garden.
Some have even gone as far as to say that Arkansas coach John Calipari has been pushing for the Knicks to take Thomas, leading to him being their top choice if available in this spot. We will see if that holds true on draft night.
At Arkansas, Thomas thrived playing alongside Acuff and being a secondary playmaker and scorer off the dribble. Thomas is a three-level scorer who is much better defensively off the ball than many give him credit for. He would essentially fill the gaps off the bench for the Knicks, something the team lost when they traded Donte DiVincenzo in the package for Karl-Anthony Towns. There is no doubt that he could find success alongside Jalen Brunson, especially as an off-ball shooting option and potential replacement for Landry Shamet.
That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
newyorknewyork wrote:fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
Honestly I’d be pretty upset if we don’t draft him unless he goes before we pick.
fitzfarm wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
Honestly I’d be pretty upset if we don’t draft him unless he goes before we pick.
Ok. Might not be the consensus opinion. But couldn’t they just re-sign Precious Achiuwa and get the same statistical profile and anthropometric sizing for an undersized C? Not saying anything wrong about Precious. At all. Similar archetype, no?
EwingsGlass wrote:fitzfarm wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
Honestly I’d be pretty upset if we don’t draft him unless he goes before we pick.
Ok. Might not be the consensus opinion. But couldn’t they just re-sign Precious Achiuwa and get the same statistical profile and anthropometric sizing for an undersized C? Not saying anything wrong about Precious. At all. Similar archetype, no?
24 zuby perfect back up 4 with elite defense. But has the speed to guard smaller 4s zuby is a slam dunk pick.
31 tarris reed jr (potential Mitch replacement)
I don’t view zuby as a 5 in the nba
fitzfarm wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:fitzfarm wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
Honestly I’d be pretty upset if we don’t draft him unless he goes before we pick.
Ok. Might not be the consensus opinion. But couldn’t they just re-sign Precious Achiuwa and get the same statistical profile and anthropometric sizing for an undersized C? Not saying anything wrong about Precious. At all. Similar archetype, no?
24 zuby perfect back up 4 with elite defense. But has the speed to guard smaller 4s zuby is a slam dunk pick.
31 tarris reed jr (potential Mitch replacement)I don’t view zuby as a 5 in the nba
I also want Zuby and Reed. Zuby at the 4 gives us a big team. But I think he can also be effective as a small ball 5. He has a 7’2” wingspan and has the strength to play against 7 footers
Rookie wrote:Question about Zuby since I’ve never seen him play, can he make you guard him to the three point line?
He's the type who will have to knock a few down before teams seriously consider guarding him out there. Think Josh Hart.
martin wrote:InterestingJavascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/brettsiegelnba/status/2068032040071516359?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA
Click here to view the Tweet24. New York Knicks – PG/SG Meleek Thomas – Arkansas, Freshman
Fresh off winning the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks are said to be considering multiple prospects in this range as a potential replacement for Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt. That is why Tarris Reed Jr. and Henri Veesaar are gaining some traction in this spot. But for weeks now, Meleek Thomas has been linked to the Knicks and has spent a ton of time with the organization's leadership, including attending multiple playoff games at Madison Square Garden.
Some have even gone as far as to say that Arkansas coach John Calipari has been pushing for the Knicks to take Thomas, leading to him being their top choice if available in this spot. We will see if that holds true on draft night.
At Arkansas, Thomas thrived playing alongside Acuff and being a secondary playmaker and scorer off the dribble. Thomas is a three-level scorer who is much better defensively off the ball than many give him credit for. He would essentially fill the gaps off the bench for the Knicks, something the team lost when they traded Donte DiVincenzo in the package for Karl-Anthony Towns. There is no doubt that he could find success alongside Jalen Brunson, especially as an off-ball shooting option and potential replacement for Landry Shamet.
This is really good info and totally passes the smell test. He’s a good fit and Calipari tends to push players to the Knicks. Thomas is from Philly so he’s almost local. Fills a potential role if he develops, as a bench scorer who can play alongside Brunson and take some playmaker pressure off of him. Plus he can shoot. Very clean fit.
PatCummings wrote:fitzfarm wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:fitzfarm wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
Honestly I’d be pretty upset if we don’t draft him unless he goes before we pick.
Ok. Might not be the consensus opinion. But couldn’t they just re-sign Precious Achiuwa and get the same statistical profile and anthropometric sizing for an undersized C? Not saying anything wrong about Precious. At all. Similar archetype, no?
24 zuby perfect back up 4 with elite defense. But has the speed to guard smaller 4s zuby is a slam dunk pick.
31 tarris reed jr (potential Mitch replacement)I don’t view zuby as a 5 in the nba
I also want Zuby and Reed. Zuby at the 4 gives us a big team. But I think he can also be effective as a small ball 5. He has a 7’2” wingspan and has the strength to play against 7 footers
Apparently both Zuby & Reed have been killing workouts, and it may be getting to a point where they both could be taken prior to the Knicks pick at #24.
Expect the worst but hope for the best.
PatCummings wrote:fitzfarm wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:fitzfarm wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
Honestly I’d be pretty upset if we don’t draft him unless he goes before we pick.
Ok. Might not be the consensus opinion. But couldn’t they just re-sign Precious Achiuwa and get the same statistical profile and anthropometric sizing for an undersized C? Not saying anything wrong about Precious. At all. Similar archetype, no?
24 zuby perfect back up 4 with elite defense. But has the speed to guard smaller 4s zuby is a slam dunk pick.
31 tarris reed jr (potential Mitch replacement)I don’t view zuby as a 5 in the nba
I also want Zuby and Reed. Zuby at the 4 gives us a big team. But I think he can also be effective as a small ball 5. He has a 7’2” wingspan and has the strength to play against 7 footers
I agree with that as well. I heard we were super impressed with his conditioning and even his improved outside shooting .
I would be super scared drafting boozer #1.
your pf/c cannot be a bad help defender. boozer has good athletic measurements but in game tape he is not a great help defender and his first step to recover in space is also very slow. this means to me, his ceiling as a C is damontas sabonis level defender. AKA, you can play him at C at your own peril and he def wont be a winner at C unless you surround him with the exact perfect supporting cast.
AJ has tunnel vision down the lane and you can see how he just has extreme talent/athleticism to hit shots over anyone at the college level. if he takes a lot of middies at the nba level he will be a 20 shots for 20 points kinda guy his rookie year. I also think he needs more bag work and kinda freelances his middies too much. he needs to be more regimented with his process (e.g. Melo jab step pull-ups). I also think he took some plays off on defense.
I would draft Peterson #1, hes the better player over dybansta right now and has a better bbiq.
newyorknewyork wrote:PatCummings wrote:fitzfarm wrote:EwingsGlass wrote:fitzfarm wrote:newyorknewyork wrote:fitzfarm wrote:Anyone else here thinks that we should draft Zuby. ??? The guy looks the most NBA ready to contribute . Seems to be a monster finisher has court vision, shown potential to spread the floor … can block from the perimeter. And seems to be elite on defense.That’s who I want . Because I think he can contribute from day one. He’s got that NY grit !
Same
Honestly I’d be pretty upset if we don’t draft him unless he goes before we pick.
Ok. Might not be the consensus opinion. But couldn’t they just re-sign Precious Achiuwa and get the same statistical profile and anthropometric sizing for an undersized C? Not saying anything wrong about Precious. At all. Similar archetype, no?
24 zuby perfect back up 4 with elite defense. But has the speed to guard smaller 4s zuby is a slam dunk pick.
31 tarris reed jr (potential Mitch replacement)I don’t view zuby as a 5 in the nba
I also want Zuby and Reed. Zuby at the 4 gives us a big team. But I think he can also be effective as a small ball 5. He has a 7’2” wingspan and has the strength to play against 7 footers
Apparently both Zuby & Reed have been killing workouts, and it may be getting to a point where they both could be taken prior to the Knicks pick at #24.
Expect the worst but hope for the best.
I’ve noticed mock drafts changing. Older mocks had Reed as a 2nd round pick and sometimes Zuby. Now both are commonly mocked from 22-30. Now I’m seeing Quaintence slipping to that same range. If he’s healthy, he’s a freak athlete who comes closest to replacing Mitch - including poor FT shooting
Zuby beat Swain in EVERY combine category. And it’s not bc Swain is a non-athlete. It’s bc Zuby is a freak. Could be develop into an OG level defender with more size?
2026 NBA Draft Combine: Comparative Data
Metric / Drill | Zuby Ejiofor (C) | Dailyn Swain (SF)
Height (w/o shoes) | 6' 7.50" | 6' 6.50"
Weight | 245.2 lbs | 211.2 lbs
Wingspan | 7' 2.00" | 6' 10.00"
Standing Reach | 8' 11.00" | 8' 8.50"
Max Vertical | 38.0" | 36.5"
No-Step Vertical | 34.0" | 28.0"
3/4 Court Sprint | 3.20s | 3.21s
Lane Agility | 11.05s | 11.25s
Shuttle Run | 2.76s | 3.08s
Knixkik wrote:martin wrote:InterestingJavascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/brettsiegelnba/status/2068032040071516359?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA
Click here to view the Tweet24. New York Knicks – PG/SG Meleek Thomas – Arkansas, Freshman
Fresh off winning the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks are said to be considering multiple prospects in this range as a potential replacement for Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt. That is why Tarris Reed Jr. and Henri Veesaar are gaining some traction in this spot. But for weeks now, Meleek Thomas has been linked to the Knicks and has spent a ton of time with the organization's leadership, including attending multiple playoff games at Madison Square Garden.
Some have even gone as far as to say that Arkansas coach John Calipari has been pushing for the Knicks to take Thomas, leading to him being their top choice if available in this spot. We will see if that holds true on draft night.
At Arkansas, Thomas thrived playing alongside Acuff and being a secondary playmaker and scorer off the dribble. Thomas is a three-level scorer who is much better defensively off the ball than many give him credit for. He would essentially fill the gaps off the bench for the Knicks, something the team lost when they traded Donte DiVincenzo in the package for Karl-Anthony Towns. There is no doubt that he could find success alongside Jalen Brunson, especially as an off-ball shooting option and potential replacement for Landry Shamet.
This is really good info and totally passes the smell test. He’s a good fit and Calipari tends to push players to the Knicks. Thomas is from Philly so he’s almost local. Fills a potential role if he develops, as a bench scorer who can play alongside Brunson and take some playmaker pressure off of him. Plus he can shoot. Very clean fit.
Is he a tall PG or a tweener combo guard?
Rookie wrote:Knixkik wrote:martin wrote:InterestingJavascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/brettsiegelnba/status/2068032040071516359?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA
Click here to view the Tweet24. New York Knicks – PG/SG Meleek Thomas – Arkansas, Freshman
Fresh off winning the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks are said to be considering multiple prospects in this range as a potential replacement for Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt. That is why Tarris Reed Jr. and Henri Veesaar are gaining some traction in this spot. But for weeks now, Meleek Thomas has been linked to the Knicks and has spent a ton of time with the organization's leadership, including attending multiple playoff games at Madison Square Garden.
Some have even gone as far as to say that Arkansas coach John Calipari has been pushing for the Knicks to take Thomas, leading to him being their top choice if available in this spot. We will see if that holds true on draft night.
At Arkansas, Thomas thrived playing alongside Acuff and being a secondary playmaker and scorer off the dribble. Thomas is a three-level scorer who is much better defensively off the ball than many give him credit for. He would essentially fill the gaps off the bench for the Knicks, something the team lost when they traded Donte DiVincenzo in the package for Karl-Anthony Towns. There is no doubt that he could find success alongside Jalen Brunson, especially as an off-ball shooting option and potential replacement for Landry Shamet.
This is really good info and totally passes the smell test. He’s a good fit and Calipari tends to push players to the Knicks. Thomas is from Philly so he’s almost local. Fills a potential role if he develops, as a bench scorer who can play alongside Brunson and take some playmaker pressure off of him. Plus he can shoot. Very clean fit.
Is he a tall PG or a tweener combo guard?
Combo guard
PatCummings wrote:Rookie wrote:Knixkik wrote:martin wrote:InterestingJavascript is not enabled or there was problem with the URL: https://www.twitter.com/brettsiegelnba/status/2068032040071516359?s=61&t=X2NvaBkjFz8kZPoGlCbCzA
Click here to view the Tweet24. New York Knicks – PG/SG Meleek Thomas – Arkansas, Freshman
Fresh off winning the 2026 NBA Finals, the Knicks are said to be considering multiple prospects in this range as a potential replacement for Mitchell Robinson in the frontcourt. That is why Tarris Reed Jr. and Henri Veesaar are gaining some traction in this spot. But for weeks now, Meleek Thomas has been linked to the Knicks and has spent a ton of time with the organization's leadership, including attending multiple playoff games at Madison Square Garden.
Some have even gone as far as to say that Arkansas coach John Calipari has been pushing for the Knicks to take Thomas, leading to him being their top choice if available in this spot. We will see if that holds true on draft night.
At Arkansas, Thomas thrived playing alongside Acuff and being a secondary playmaker and scorer off the dribble. Thomas is a three-level scorer who is much better defensively off the ball than many give him credit for. He would essentially fill the gaps off the bench for the Knicks, something the team lost when they traded Donte DiVincenzo in the package for Karl-Anthony Towns. There is no doubt that he could find success alongside Jalen Brunson, especially as an off-ball shooting option and potential replacement for Landry Shamet.
This is really good info and totally passes the smell test. He’s a good fit and Calipari tends to push players to the Knicks. Thomas is from Philly so he’s almost local. Fills a potential role if he develops, as a bench scorer who can play alongside Brunson and take some playmaker pressure off of him. Plus he can shoot. Very clean fit.
Is he a tall PG or a tweener combo guard?
Combo guard
I just think that pick is a sit on the bench pick and maybe in a few years he comes through. And with the cap restrictions, we need to pick guys that can step in and play
Thomas won’t get min over McBride or Kolek . So I don’t think he will contribute for a few years .kinda a local stash pick that takes up a bench seat unless we are trading McBride .
Kid needs to gain weight and get more consistent. He has an off balance look when he shoots . And has a slow shooting stroke from 3 … also will get bullied on defense.
Has potential though to be a stud if he develops properly.
houston20 wrote:We need a center life after Mitch Robinson fine the Knicks picking tarris reed, Chris Senac , or Henri Vessler out of unc. I am also fine with maleek Thomas out of Arkansas or Evan’s out of Duke if shamet leaves. I don’t want a draft and stash player we need guys now to contribute.
I want Vessler too but he’s more of a stretch PF in the nba. We can get a backup defensive C in free agency and/or just continue to develop Huk
For all the hype of his passing, you would think he has some elite bbiq. but this guy ball watches so much on defense
my gut says Chris Senac is going much higher than ppl suspect. legit movement skills at C and already shoots 3s.