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New York Knicks: Top 5 power forwards in 2018 NBA Draft as of early March

By Maxwell Ogden

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 24: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the Syracuse Orange during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 24: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after a play against the Syracuse Orange during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – MARCH 03: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball against Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 74-64. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – MARCH 03: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball against Garrison Brooks #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 74-64. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Age: 18 (3/14/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 234 pounds, 7’0.5″ 
Slash Line: .604/.360/.621
Season Averages: 32.9 MPG, 20.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 3PM

The New York Knicks have an elite rim protector in Kristaps Porzingis and a powerful post scorer in Enes Kanter. Porzingis benefits from Kanter’s presence, but the theory remains that the Knicks need a complement who can create their own offense and defend at a high level.

Of all the players in this draft class, the power forward who’s best equipped to fill that role for the Knicks is Duke Blue Devils star Marvin Bagley III.

I’ve maintained since the beginning of the season that Bagley is more Michael Beasley than Kevin Durant, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Beasley’s issue was never talent, as he’s a walking bucket who can create his shot in isolation with no issue whatsoever.

The advantage that Bagley has over Beasley is that, while the former Kansas State star is an interior-based scoring threat, the Duke standout is beginning to embrace the three-ball.

Defensively, Bagley utilizes his length and hand size to be able to intercept passes and contest shots at the rim. He has the athleticism to cover ground on both ends of the floor, driving from 24 feet and picking up scorers and playmakers at multiple positions.

There are some areas of concern, but Bagley has the tools to become the two-way player whom the Knicks desperately need to alleviate pressure from Porzingis.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Draft: Top 5 point guards in the 2018 NBA Draft

The question is: Will the New York Knicks prove willing to address the interior if a power forward is the best player available at the 2018 NBA Draft?

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