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New York Knicks: Top 5 2018 NBA Draft options entering All-Star Break

By Maxwell Ogden

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats looks on dunking the ball against the Butler Bulldogs at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats looks on dunking the ball against the Butler Bulldogs at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 14: Wendell Carter Jr.#34 of the Duke Blue Devils against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 74-52. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 14: Wendell Carter Jr.#34 of the Duke Blue Devils against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 74-52. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Upside Comparison: Al Horford
Age: 18 (4/16/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 259 pounds, 7’3″
Slash Line: .603/.471/.695
Season Averages: 27.2 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 3.2 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 2.2 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 3PM

The New York Knicks need to find an ideal interior complement to Kristaps Porzingis. The criteria consists of being able to rebound at a high level, competently defend stretch bigs, and hold one’s own as a post defender and rim protector.

That’s difficult to find in this era, but Duke Blue Devils freshman Wendell Carter Jr. is showing signs of being able to check every one of those boxes.

Carter ranks in the top 50 in the country in offensive rebound percentage, and cracks the top 100 in both defensive rebound percentage and blocks percentage. His current averages translate to marks of 14.1 rebounds, 4.7 offensive boards, and 3.2 blocks per 40 minutes.

As far as rebounding and rim protecting are concerned, Carter looks the part of a player who’s both willing and able. Having a 7’3″ wingspan certainly helps.

Defending stretch bigs is still a minor issue, but Carter has the range and athleticism to adequately do so. Offensively, he has improving range on his jump shot, is a skilled passer from the post, and appears comfortable finishing over either shoulder.

Carter has Al Horford potential, and for a Knicks team that doesn’t quite know which position Porzingis will be playing long-term, that makes him a perfect fit.

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