Daily Knicks
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
26 of 31
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles past Levi Stockard III #34 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Wildcats won 69-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles past Levi Stockard III #34 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Wildcats won 69-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard. Creighton Bluejays. Khyri Thomas. 25. player. 20.

Age: 21 (5/8/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 210 pounds, 6’10”
Slash Line: .538/.411/.788
Season Averages: 31.7 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.9 3PM

The Los Angeles Lakers have a number of quality players to develop for the next decade-plus. That young core is built around point guard Lonzo Ball, small forward Brandon Ingram, and big men Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle.

Josh Hart has significant upside at shooting guard, but it can’t hurt the Lakers to add depth to the position in the form of Creighton Bluejays star Khyri Thomas.

Thomas is somewhat undersized at 6’3″, but with a 6’10” wingspan and a strong frame, he can defend multiple positions. He can play the passing lanes, but what makes him truly intriguing is the manner in which he hounds ball-handlers.

When Thomas is locked in on defense, he has the rare combination of length, athleticism, hand activity, and instincts to lock opponents down.

Offensively, Thomas is an efficient three-point shooter who can comfortably work without the ball. When he has the ball in his hands, Thomas is capable of thriving as a distributor or finishing at the rim with some measure of efficiency.

Thomas has an upside comparison of Houston Rockets standout Eric Gordon. That should say quite a bit about what he can bring to the Lakers.

Home/Knicks Draft