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

Arizona Wildcats shooting guard Rawle Alkins is a player whom the New York Knicks should spend significant time scouting in 2017-18. His best upside comparison appears to be Lance Stephenson, who was once a featured contributor to a Conference Finalist.

The Knicks may have two promising young guards in Frank Ntilikina and Tim Hardaway Jr., but depth is paramount in the modern NBA.

Alkins is somewhat undersized at 6’4″ with a 6’9″ wingspan, but he makes up for that with his athleticism, power, and tenacity. He’s capable of putting his head down, working his way into the paint, and finishing through or over defenders.

With a 40.5″ max vertical leap and a conversion rate of 52.1 percent on 2-point field goals as a freshman, the numbers work in Alkins’ favor.

The two most intriguing aspects of Alkins’ game are his abilities as a facilitator and a three-point shooter. He’s more than capable of creating for his teammates off the drive, and converted 1.7 three-point field goals made per 40 minutes on 37.0 percent shooting.

Alkins may not become a full-time starter in the NBA, but he has Sixth Man of the Year potential in the way he scores, creates, and plays above the rim.