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New York Knicks: Top 2018 NBA Draft target at every position as of early April

By Maxwell Ogden

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Michael Porter Jr #13 of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 08: Michael Porter Jr #13 of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 8, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 22: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats collides with Amaad Wainright #23 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the first 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: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #22 of the Kentucky Wildcats collides with Amaad Wainright #23 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the first 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) /

Age: 19 (7/12/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 180 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .485/.404/.817
Season Averages: 33.7 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 3PM

The New York Knicks may have depth at point guard, but there isn’t a single player who has solidified their place as the long-term starter. Thus, it only makes sense to evaluate the talent at the position and determine if there’s an individual who fits the long-term vision.

Thankfully for the Knicks, there are few possibilities that are more ideal than a potential pairing of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Frank Ntilikina.

While Ntilikina is a 6’5″ point guard with a 7’0″ wingspan, Gilgeous-Alexander stands at 6’6″ with a 7’0″ wingspan of his own. While both need to add muscle to their respective frames, the two should have no trouble sharing a backcourt as far as defensive versatility is concerned.

Ntilikina has already displayed the ability to defend all three perimeter positions, while Gilgeous-Alexander has been matched up against players at both guard spots.

Offensively, both Gilgeous-Alexander and Ntilikina can create for their teammates as willing and able distributors. They can also get to their spots with their handle or work without the ball to help create a healthy flow in a motion offense.

Selecting a point guard may not be the most ideal of decisions on paper, but Gilgeous-Alexander and Ntilikina would change the identity of the team.

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