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New York Knicks: 2018 NBA Draft targets who stepped up on Mar. 10

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats is introduced before the game against the Providence Friars during the championship game of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats is introduced before the game against the Providence Friars during the championship game of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats walks off the court after warmups before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: Deandre Ayton #13 of the Arizona Wildcats walks off the court after warmups before a semifinal game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wildcats won 78-67 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Luka Doncic may dispute this claim, but Deandre Ayton is looking like the best player in the 2018 NBA Draft. He’s developing a into a dominant force on the offensive end of the floor, as well as a pace-controlling rebounder who can impact a game with that strength alone.

With a chance to deliver the Pac-12 championship to Arizona during his freshman season, Ayton proved that his dominance has substance.

Ayton was absurd against the USC Trojans, producing 32 points, 18 rebounds, eight offensive boards, two assists, and one block in the championship round. He shot 14-of-20 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line in a display of superstar-caliber dominance.

Ayton got to his spots whenever he wanted to, scored at will from all over the court, and destroyed USC’s gameplan with his rebounding alone.

If the New York Knicks have to trade up to select Ayton, they should do so. If the Knicks can acquire Ayton in the position they’re in, they shouldn’t hesitate for a moment to make the selection that could turn the organization around.

A combination of Ayton and Kristaps Porzingis would immediately jump to the front of the line of the best interior duos in the NBA.

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