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New York Knicks: 2018 NBA Mock Draft including trades

By Maxwell Ogden

LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 13: Jevon Carter #2 of the West Virginia Mountaineers defends Niem Stevenson #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on January 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated West Virginia 72-71. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - JANUARY 13: Jevon Carter #2 of the West Virginia Mountaineers defends Niem Stevenson #10 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on January 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated West Virginia 72-71. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 03: Tulane’s Melvin Frazier (35) dunks the ball during the North Carolina Tar Heels game versus the Tulane Green Wave on December 3, 2017, at Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 03: Tulane’s Melvin Frazier (35) dunks the ball during the North Carolina Tar Heels game versus the Tulane Green Wave on December 3, 2017, at Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 200 pounds, 6’8″
Slash Line: .599/.400/.738
Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.3 3PM

The Tulane Green Wave aren’t exactly known for producing NBA-caliber players, but the upside here is undeniable. Melvin Frazier is an athletic wing who both fits a need and has the tools to be one of the steals of the event.

The New York Knicks have a chance to improve the defense with all four picks, and this is the type of selection that would achieve exactly that.

Frazier has offensive value as an explosive finisher who can work the baseline and get out in transition. He’s also a quality passer who can create opportunities for his teammates, which would fit the system and alleviate pressure from Frank Ntilikina.

There’s reason to question how legitimate his jump shot is, but it’s a credit to Frazier’s work ethic that he’s having a career-year from beyond the arc.

The true appeal here is on defense, however, where he’s developing into a high-level player. He’s an elite ball hawk with the versatility to defend multiple positions and the improving ability to contest shots at the rim.

This isn’t a perfect pick, but at No. 44 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, upside and defense should take precedence over all else—and Frazier has it in spades.

Must Read: Who stepped up against the Brooklyn Nets?

The New York Knicks have a chance to solidify the rotation via the 2018 NBA Draft. These picks would enable the organization to do so.

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