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New York Knicks: Top 10 2018 NBA Draft options as of the Final Four

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts the net after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 71-59 in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional to advance to the 2018 Final Four at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts the net after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 71-59 in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional to advance to the 2018 Final Four at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the second half against the Bucknell Bison in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Michigan State Spartans have helped Miles Bridges make one of the more astonishing transitions in recent memory. Bridges arrived in East Lansing as a small-ball 4 with a 6’6″ frame and a 6’9″ wingspan that simply isn’t adequate for the position.

Over the course of his two seasons with head coach Tom Izzo, however, Bridges solidified his place as one of the best wings in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Bridges’ father encouraged him to return for his sophomore season, which paid off in a significant way. Bridges greatly improved his handle, became a far better shooter off the bounce, and even solidified his status as one of the more versatile defenders in college basketball.

For the New York Knicks, adding a positionally versatile defender would be an appealing enough haul to justify a first-round selection.

Bridges has the raw ability to create off the bounce and shoot with efficiency from both midrange and beyond the arc. He’s also an explosive leaper who can play above the rim and a quality post player who can utilize his raw power to bully opponents down low.

Throw in Bridges’ ability to create for his teammates and he could make the game significantly easier for both Frank Ntilikina and Kristaps Porzingis.

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