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2018 NBA Mock Draft: A full first round following National Championship Game

By Maxwell Ogden

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Michigan Wolverines during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Villanova defeated Michigan 79-62. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats handles the ball against Mike McGuirl #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats handles the ball against Mike McGuirl #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the second half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

73. . Forward. Kentucky Wildcats. Kevin Knox. 14. player

Age: 18 (8/11/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9″, 215 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .445/.341/.774
Season Averages: 32.4 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 3PM

The Denver Nuggets have a promising backcourt tandem in Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, and a pair of All-Star level players in Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic. That leaves a void at small forward and a long-term responsibility of finding Millsap’s heir apparent.

Thankfully for the Nuggets, there’s a player who’s equipped to fill both roles for head coach Michael Malone: Kentucky Wildcats star Kevin Knox.

Knox has the build to be a power forward in the NBA, as well as the athleticism to play the 3. His skill set is that of a tweener, but he can shoot with reasonable efficiency and attack a closeout when an overzealous defender tries their hand at contesting his attempt.

Knox is also a capable finisher in the paint, with the power to score at the rim and the skill level to pull up for a floater or a short-range J.

Defensively, Knox displayed the ability to defend both forward positions at a solid level. There’s untapped potential, but the beauty of the system that the Nuggets have built is that it can enable any legitimate NBA player to find a role.

Knox has star potential that many New York Knicks fans would like to explore, but in this scenario, it’s the Nuggets that have a chance to explore his ceiling.

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