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New York Knicks: Top 16 2018 NBA Draft prospects in the Sweet 16

By Maxwell Ogden

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the Rhode Island Rams during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the Rhode Island Rams during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 17: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball while being guarded by Keith Stone #25 of the Florida Gators in the first half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 17: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders passes the ball while being guarded by Keith Stone #25 of the Florida Gators in the first half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Projection: Late First Round
Age: 18 (6/4/1999)
Height & Weight: 6’5″ & 194 pounds
Slash Line: .565/.444/.719
Season Averages: 28.5 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 3PM

Some may disagree with me on this, but Zhaire Smith is one of the top 15 prospects on my big board. He’s projected by most as an early second-round draft pick, but Smith has a rare combination of athleticism and instincts.

This would be a project pick in every sense of the word, but I’m not sure there’s a perimeter player in this draft class with a higher ceiling than Smith.

Smith has a Gerald Green level of athleticism in the way he swiftly runs the floor and effortlessly plays above the rim. Defensively, he’s flashed Andre Roberson potential in the way he can legitimately manhandle a ball-handler when his focus is where it needs to be.

That alone should appeal to the New York Knicks, which should give genuine consideration to select this fast-rising prospect in Round 1—yes, seriously.

This would be an extreme reach, but Smith is the Kawhi Leonard type of prospect who can be molded into something special. He’s getting by on natural talent in 2017-18 and is already one of the most effective wings in the field.

Knicks fans may not want another project, but Smith has all of the tools to become a two-way star at the highest possible level.

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