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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Emmanuel Mudiay’s impact on New York Knicks

By Maxwell Ogden

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 01: Emmanuel Mudiay #0 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center on February 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 01: Emmanuel Mudiay #0 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center on February 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 10: Gary Trent Jr #2 of the Duke Blue Devils in action against at Petersen Events Center on January 10, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 10: Gary Trent Jr #2 of the Duke Blue Devils in action against at Petersen Events Center on January 10, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Upside Comparison: Courtney Lee
Age: 19 (1/18/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 209 pounds, 6’9″
Slash Line: .437/.448/.869
Season Averages: 32.9 MPG, 15.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.8 3PM

Duke Blue Devils shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. is one of the most underrated prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft. An elite three-point shooter with a solid level of athleticism, Trent has the tools to develop into a high-quality two-way player.

With a safe upside comparison of current New York Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee, there aren’t many better situations for him to enter than this.

Trent is an outstanding three-point shooter and a capable defender with a similar frame and, oddly enough, similar mannerisms to Lee. Both have a level of agility that catches defenders off guard and enables them to get to their spots as quickly as possible.

Lee is one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA, and Trent has the potential to follow in his footsteps—especially as his potential understudy.

Some might question if this would be the best decision, but the Knicks have a desperate need for perimeter depth. Three-point shooting, athleticism, and defensive proficiency are elusive traits in New York, and the duo of Mikal Bridges and Gary Trent Jr. could address the issues.

With Lee still in the fold as a veteran leader and mentor, the Knicks would provide an ideal environment for both players to develop.

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