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New York Knicks: A way too early 2018 NBA Mock Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 18: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid during the 2017 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four Real Madrid Practice at Sinan Erdem Dome on May 18, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Luca Sgamellotti/EB via Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 18: Luka Doncic, #7 of Real Madrid during the 2017 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four Real Madrid Practice at Sinan Erdem Dome on May 18, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Luca Sgamellotti/EB via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 04: De’Anthony Melton #22 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against the Washington Huskies during a Pac12 conference college basketball game at Galen Center on March 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 04: De’Anthony Melton #22 of the USC Trojans handles the ball against the Washington Huskies during a Pac12 conference college basketball game at Galen Center on March 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

The USC Trojans aren’t exactly known for producing NBA-caliber players, but De’Anthony Melton has the look of a potential Top 10 pick. The sophomore point guard has the physical tools to become the perfect complement to Frank Ntilikina.

A motivated defender, superb slasher, and capable facilitator, Melton would make it possible for Jeff Hornacek to bring back his dual point guard sets.

Melton stands at 6’4″ with a 6’8″ wingspan, which gives him a similar measure of defensive versatility to Ntilikina. The two would be able to alternate between defending point guards and shooting guards, which is an element Hornacek was without in Phoenix.

Statistics only matter so much, but Melton recorded averages of 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per 40 minutes during his freshman season.

Offensively, Melton does an outstanding job of getting to the rim and finishing in traffic—Ntilikina’s primary offensive flaw. He’s also a respectable passer who’s beginning to see the floor better and managed to limit his turnovers to an average of just 2.6 per 40 minutes.

Some may argue that Tim Hardaway Jr. can fill that role, but a combination of Melton and Ntilikina would create excellent balance on offense.

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