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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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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 25: Wendell Carter, Jr. #34 of the Duke Blue Devils concentrates at the free throw line against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional Final at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 25: Wendell Carter, Jr. #34 of the Duke Blue Devils concentrates at the free throw line against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional Final at CenturyLink Center on March 25, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Age: 18 (4/16/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 258 pounds, 7’3″
Slash Line: .561/.413/.738
Season Averages: 26.9 MPG, 13.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.9 ORPG, 2.0 APG, 2.1 BPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 3PM

The Duke Blue Devils have produced a vast number of 2018 NBA Draft prospects. That list of players includes Grayson Allen, Marvin Bagley III, Trevon Duval, and Gary Trent Jr., who are all in the running to become first-round draft picks.

The center who best fits what the New York Knicks need, however, is Blue Devils standout and all-around contributor Wendell Carter Jr.

Carter doesn’t do anything at an elite level, but he’s one of the most well-rounded prospects in this draft class. I’d normally advise teams to stay away from players with that distinction, but at the center position in the modern era, it’s far from a bad thing.

Carter is essentially a stronger version of Charlotte Hornets glue guy Cody Zeller, which should enable him to play upwards of 30 minutes per game.

Offensively, Carter can score with his back to the basket, pass from the high post, and shoot with reasonable range. Defensively, he’s a productive rebounder whose numbers were limited by the presence of Marvin Bagley III, and an at least respectable shot-blocker.

The more desirable pick may be a perimeter player, but Carter has Al Horford potential as the glue to a New York Knicks team that certainly needs stability alongside Kristaps Porzingis.

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The question is: Which of these players will maintain their status as we approach the most rigorous portion of the 2018 NBA Draft cycle?

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