The New York Knicks hold the No. 24 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and CBS Sports projects them selecting Christian Anderson — the Texas Tech sophomore who averaged 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while shooting 41.5% from three. It’s a pick that addresses New York’s backcourt needs with a true point guard who is also a knockdown shooter — two boxes the Knicks have needed to check simultaneously for years.

Anderson is described by CBS as a “true point guard who doubles as a knockdown shooter,” a rare combination at this point in the draft. His most impressive statistical detail: 65 of his 108 three-point makes were non-catch-and-shoot attempts, meaning he created his own perimeter shots off the dribble at an elite clip. He isn’t reliant on an off-ball system to be effective — he can pick-and-roll, push in transition, and operate in isolation when needed. CBS projects him as a top-25 pick, and the Knicks getting him at 24 would be a clean value outcome.

The opportunity cost at No. 24 is Chris Cenac Jr., who falls to the LA Lakers at No. 25. Cenac is a 6-foot-10 Houston freshman with untapped potential — a frame, athleticism, and motor combination that projects as a rim-running, shot-altering center on a rookie deal. New York bypassing Cenac’s frontcourt upside to take Anderson’s guard skills reflects the Knicks’ most pressing need: they need Mitchell Robinson insurance and also backcourt help, but Anderson’s guard production arguably fills the larger gap.

Bleacher Report projects Tarris Reed Jr. to the Knicks at No. 24 instead, arguing Reed is the ideal Mitchell Robinson insurance: a physical rebounder, paint protector, and post finisher who filled that exact role on UConn’s national championship teams. Yahoo Sports has Jayden Quaintance going to New York. The split between Anderson, Reed, and Quaintance reflects the genuine tension in New York’s draft decision — the Knicks authentically need both a guard and a center.

Outlet	Projected Player
CBS Sports	Christian Anderson
Bleacher Report	Tarris Reed Jr.
Tankathon	Christian Anderson
Yahoo Sports	Jayden Quaintance

New York’s context makes the Anderson pick more than simply a best-available selection. Jalen Brunson took a significant pay cut to enable the Knicks to build around him, which means the franchise needs to justify that sacrifice by adding high-quality supporting talent. Anderson’s ability to operate alongside Brunson rather than compete with him — as a secondary creator and off-ball shooter — mirrors the kind of value the Knicks extracted from their best role additions in recent seasons.

Anderson at No. 24 on a rookie contract also provides the Knicks salary flexibility, which matters enormously as they manage Mitchell Robinson’s free agency and their broader cap situation. A 41.5% shooter who can also run an offense doesn’t typically reach the back half of the lottery. If Anderson’s off-the-dribble three-point shooting translates to the NBA — and the 65-of-108 non-catch-and-shoot sample is a compelling case that it will — New York lands one of the most efficient value picks of the entire draft at a position they genuinely needed to address.