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2018 NBA Draft: 3-and-D wings to know before March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 16: Jacob Evans #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats plays defense on an inbound during a NCAA basketball game against the UCF Knights at the CFE Arena on January 16, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 16: Jacob Evans #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats plays defense on an inbound during a NCAA basketball game against the UCF Knights at the CFE Arena on January 16, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capitol One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Bluejays won 90-66. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles the ball during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at the Capitol One Arena on January 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Bluejays won 90-66. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Projection: Late First Round
Age: 21 (5/8/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 210 pounds, 6’10”
Slash Line: .531/.405/.821
Season Averages: 30.5 MPG, 14.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.9 3PM

Khyri Thomas is a guard, but that doesn’t mean the New York Knicks should overlook him as a viable option. The Creighton Bluejays star is built in the same mold as Kyle Korver and Doug McDermott in the sense that he’s an outstanding three-point shooter who moves well without the ball.

The difference between Thomas and his predecessors, however, is the fact that he has the tools to be a genuine lockdown defender in the NBA.

Standing at 6’3″ with a 6’10” wingspan and strong hands, Thomas does an excellent job of hounding ball-handlers. He can take on players who are taller than himself, utilizing his length and aggressive style of defense to frustrate the opposition.

Rather than waiting and reacting, Thomas goes on the offensive to either strip the ball free or force an errant pass that a teammate can intercept.

Offensively, Thomas has shot 39.3 percent or better from beyond the arc in each of his three collegiate seasons. He’s a capable ball-handler and distributor who can finish at the rim and get out in transition, albeit in more of a secondary or tertiary role.

If the New York Knicks were to acquire a second first-round draft pick, adding a guard with length, range, and defensive intensity would be a wise decision.

Must Read: Emmanuel Mudiay is displaying endearing unselfishness

The New York Knicks have a void to fill and the resources to do so via the 2018 NBA Draft.

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