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New York Knicks: Full 2017 NBA Mock Draft With Upside Comparisons

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Brandon Childress (0) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Demon Deacons won 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Brandon Childress (0) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Demon Deacons won 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) is defended by USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) during the second half during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. UCLA won 76-74. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Ike Anigbogu (13) is defended by USC Trojans forward Chimezie Metu (4) during the second half during the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. UCLA won 76-74. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Denver Nuggets: Ike Anigbogu, UCLA Bruins

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Andre Drummond
Safe Upside Comparison: Bismack Biyombo
Position: Center
Age: 18 (10/22/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.75″, 252 pounds, 7’6.25″
2016-17 Slash Line: .564/.000/.535
2016-17 Season Averages: 13.0 MPG, 4.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.4 ORPG, 1.2 BPG

The Denver Nuggets have a superstar on the rise in power forward Nikola Jokic and a deep crop of guards. The voids in Denver can be found at small forward and center, where the team needs a combination of offensive creativity and defensive consistency.

Replacing Danilo Gallinari is a pressing need, but the Nuggets need to create a solid foundation on defense, and that makes Ike Anigbogu the pick.

Anigbogu’s ultimate upside comparison is Andre Drummond, to whom he shares a number of compelling similarities. Anigbogu nearly matches Drummond’s monstrous wingspan, and has a longer standing reach with a similarly powerful frame.

Perhaps most importantly, Anigbogu averaged 14.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per 40 minutes in 2016-17—a sign of the nightly double-double machine he’s capable of becoming.

A safer comparison would be Bismack Biyombo, who earned a lucrative contract with his situational defense and rebounding. Biyombo is more fleet of foot, but Anigbogu has a wider frame that should fill out over time.

If Michael Malone coaches Anigbogu properly, he could find the perfect interior complement to Jokic. The New York Knicks don’t need a big man, but Anigbogu may pique Phil Jackson’s interest.

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