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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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MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Miami Hurricanes drives to the basket while being defended by Ky Bowman #0 of the Boston College Eagles during the second half of the game at The Watsco Center on February 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Miami Hurricanes drives to the basket while being defended by Ky Bowman #0 of the Boston College Eagles during the second half of the game at The Watsco Center on February 24, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Projection: 15-20
Age: 19 (12/14/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 192 pounds, 6’10.5″
Slash Line: .420/.361/.758
Season Averages: 27.0 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.8 3PM

Miami Hurricanes shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV is still some time away from realizing his full potential. That’s the case with a vast majority of prospects, but Walker is a raw talent who’s still in the process of putting it all together.

If the New York Knicks are willing to be as patient with Walker as the San Antonio Spurs were with Kawhi Leonard or the Chicago Bulls were with Jimmy Butler, however, the results could be special.

Walker has immediate playing value as a committed defender who can guard both backcourt positions. He’s somewhat undersized, but his long wingspan and elite athleticism should make up for that issue—and then some.

Offensively, Walker has the unique ability to excel as both an athletic slasher and an effective three-point shooter with deep range on his jump shot.

Walker has a lot of J.R. Smith in his game in the sense that he can be somewhat hot and cold, but he has the tools to dominate when he’s on. Walker will have the benefit of hindsight, however, meaning he could develop into a far more consistent player.

This would admittedly be a risk at No. 5 overall, but Walker has superstar potential. If the Knicks commit to truly developing their talent, this could pan out wonderfully.

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