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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Impact of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates a win during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats won 71-59. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

The 2018 NBA Playoffs are officially underway. How has the first round influenced the New York Knicks and the 2018 NBA Draft?

The 2018 NBA Playoffs are in full swing, but not every team has the luxury of enjoying that process. Instead, said franchises are tasked with figuring out how to build for the future and achieve the success that they’re witnessing from home.

That unfortunately includes the New York Knicks, which are on the outside looking in of the NBA Playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.

The good news for the Knicks is that they’re on pace to have a first-round draft pick on an even year for the first time since 2008. That 10-year drought is inexcusable, as New York has routinely stripped itself of the opportunity to acquire a developable and cost-controlled talent.

Barring an unforeseen event, that will change in 2018 when the Knicks have a top-10 draft pick that could reverse its misfortune.

For the other 29 teams, the 2018 NBA Draft could provide a range of different opportunities. Franchises can either find a landscape-altering player or add a talent who can bolster its rotation while commanding an affordable salary.

The question is: How has the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs influenced the line of thinking as the 2018 NBA Draft approaches?

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