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New York Knicks: Top 10 2018 NBA Draft targets as of March 1

By Maxwell Ogden

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Miles Bridges #22 carries the Big Ten regular-season championship trophy after the Spartan defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Miles Bridges #22 carries the Big Ten regular-season championship trophy after the Spartan defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA- JANUARY 23: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats dribbles around Rodney Bullock #5 of the Providence Friars during a college basketball game at the Wells fargo Arena on January 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wildcats won 89-69. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA- JANUARY 23: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats dribbles around Rodney Bullock #5 of the Providence Friars during a college basketball game at the Wells fargo Arena on January 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Wildcats won 89-69. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Projection: Top 10
Age: 21 (8/30/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 210 pounds, 7’1.5″
Slash Line: .507/.419/.833
Season Averages: 32.3 MPG, 17.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 2.4 3PM

I understand that Mikal Bridges isn’t a dynamic scoring threat who can dominate a game in isolation. I also understand that there’s a rational fear that such a player will be needed to complement Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.

If the New York Knicks have a chance to find a player who’s a cross between Otto Porter Jr. and Klay Thompson at No. 9 in the 2018 NBA Draft, however, they should pull the trigger.

Bridges is the best on-ball defender in this draft class, and there’s reason to believe his quality of play will translate to the NBA. He has the size and length to defend players from the 2 to the 4, as well as the athleticism to occasionally pick up point guards.

With a trio of Bridges, Frank Ntilikina, and Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks could have an elite defender at all three levels in 2018-19 and beyond.

Offensively, Bridges is one of the most lethal three-point shooters in the 2018 NBA Draft. He has a high release point and a quick trigger, as well as pro-level range and a fearlessness that separates the truly great marksmen from the simply efficient shooters.

Bridges is also a ambidextrous finisher at the rim who should have no trouble improving his handle if he makes it his focus.

The 2018 NBA Draft will provide the New York Knicks with a number of compelling options. As of March 1, these 10 players would be the best of them.

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