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2018 NBA Draft: Top 5 centers for the New York Knicks

By Maxwell Ogden

AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns and Makol Mawien #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats jockey for position at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns and Makol Mawien #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats jockey for position at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – MARCH 03: Wendell Carter, Jr. #34 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball against Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – MARCH 03: Wendell Carter, Jr. #34 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball against Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Age: 18 (4/16/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 259 pounds, 7’3″
Slash Line: .572/.500/.729
Season Averages: 27.5 MPG, 14.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 2.1 APG, 2.2 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 3PM

The New York Knicks have a need for a center who can defend multiple positions and play a modern style offensively. Duke Blue Devils star Wendell Carter Jr. seems to fit the bill as a well-rounded offensive player who can fill multiple roles defensively.

Carter has Al Horford potential at the next level, but with the mean streak and physical style of play that the Knicks require at the 5.

Carter doesn’t yet have an elite skill, but he contributes in every phase of the game—literally. He’s a quality post scorer with three-point range on his jump shot, as well as a two-way rebounder, a productive shot-blocker, and a skilled passer.

Averages of 20.6 points, 13.9 rebounds, 4.6 offensive boards, 3.1 assists, 3.2 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 three-point field goals made per 40 minutes should be evidence enough.

Alongside Kristaps Porzingis, Carter could be the player who both diversifies the Knicks’ offense and legitimizes its defense. He can operate from the low block, high post, or perimeter offensively, and can be the shot-blocker who alleviates pressure from Porzingis when he defends stretch bigs.

Carter can also take on the task of defending the more athletic big men who prefer to start from the perimeter, thus enabling Porzingis to play a more stationary role defensively.

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