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?
Age: 19 (7/23/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 250 pounds, 7’5″
Slash Line: .612/.343/.733
Season Averages: 33.5 MPG, 20.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 3.4 ORPG, 1.6 APG, 1.9 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 3PM
Whether or not you believe Deandre Ayton is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2018 NBA Draft, he’s the best option for the Phoenix Suns. A high-low or low-high balance will work in every era, and combining the efforts of Ayton and Devin Booker could save the Suns.
Ayton is a unique talent and an overwhelmingly promising prospect who could realistically go down as the best player to emerge from this draft class.
Ayton has a Dwight Howard build and may even rival the former Orlando Magic superstar’s athleticism. While he’s nowhere near the defender that Howard went on to become, Ayton has a far more advanced offensive game at this stage of his development.
Ayton has a midrange game that must be respected, as well as developing three-point range and the ability to post up smaller defenders with efficiency.
Ayton is also an elite rebounder who ranked No. 16 in the nation in defensive rebound percentage and No. 40 in offensive rebound percentage. That should appeal to a Suns team that was No. 23 in both rebound differential and second chance points allowed per game.
The Suns need a big who can score inside, dominate the boards, and work the pick and roll. Ayton checks every one of those boxes and then some.
Knicks Note: If the New York Knicks secure the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft, then Ayton would likely be at the top of their list.
Age: 19 (2/28/1999)
Height & Weight: 6’8″ & 218 pounds
Slash Line: .464/.306/.806
Season Averages: 24.6 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.0 ORPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.5 3PM
The Memphis Grizzlies have proven in the past that they aren’t afraid to invest in international players. In fact, Memphis has dipped into the Liga ACB talent pool with, arguably, the two greatest players in franchise history: Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol.
The Grizzlies have a chance to emulate that success by finding the perimeter star they’ve long been searching for: Luka Doncic.
Doncic could easily play point guard in the modern era, but the Grizzlies have a chance to change the culture with this selection. With Doncic and Mike Conley sharing a backcourt, the Grizzlies would suddenly have two shot creators who can work both with and without the ball.
In many ways, the Doncic and Conley pairing in Memphis could work in a similar manner to the Doncic and Goran Dragic duo that helped Slovenia win the gold medal at EuroBasket 2018.
Doncic’s defensive prowess could be questioned, but as a 6’8″ wing, he should at least be a solid team defender. Offensively, he has the handle, range on his jump shot, court vision, and aggressiveness to be the glue to the entire offensive system.
Doncic can play virtually every role imaginable on offense, but when it’s all said and done, it’s his fearless scoring and facilitating approach that could help him prosper at an All-NBA level.
Knicks Note: The New York Knicks sent scouts to evaluate Doncic in Europe. That should prove their interest.
Age: 19 (3/14/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 234 pounds, 7’0.5″
Slash Line: .614/.397/.627
Season Averages: 33.9 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 4.0 ORPG, 1.5 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.7 3PM
The Dallas Mavericks have a difficult decision to make at No. 3 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. The top three options are all power forwards or center, with Marvin Bagley III, Mohamed Bamba, and Jaren Jackson Jr. all deserving consideration.
While Bamba and Jackson were originally at the heart of my internal debate, but Dallas must find a legitimate go-to scorer moving forward and Bagley fits the bill.
Harrison Barnes is a high-quality scorer, but he hasn’t yet proven to be a franchise-level player. Dennis Smith Jr. is one of the most complete up-and-coming point guards in the NBA, but asking a facilitator to also score at a high rate is rarely conducive to championship-caliber success.
Thus, the Mavericks invest in a player who has garnered comparisons to Kevin Durant and a more focused version of Michael Beasley: Bagley.
Bagley has the size, length, and athleticism to be a high-quality defender, which will inevitably appeal to Rick Carlisle. Offensively, he’s expanded his shooting range, is a skilled scorer in the post, and creates at will from as far as 24 feet.
With Dirk Nowitzki as a mentor and a high-quality point guard to alleviate pressure, Bagley could realize his All-NBA potential in Dallas.
Knicks Note: If the New York Knicks move up via the lottery, Bagley would be the pick at No. 3. Kristaps Porzingis would move to center.
Age: 19 (6/29/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 215 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .333/.300/.778
Season Averages: 3 GP, 17.7 MPG, 10.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 ORPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 3PM
There are an abundance of options here for an Atlanta Hawks franchise that desperately needs to strike pay dirt. Atlanta would certainly benefit from adding a future All-Star here, but it needs to acquire a legitimate franchise player.
Thus, while some have questioned how genuine the All-NBA potential is here, the Hawks look past the injuries and invest in a player who garnered top-pick hype: Michael Porter Jr.
Mohamed Bamba and Jaren Jackson Jr. are ranked higher by some, but Atlanta needs a go-to scorer. There are high-quality players on the roster already, but the opportunity to draft a forward who has the tools to score 20-plus a night shouldn’t be overlooked.
This clearly leads to questions about what will come of either John Collins or Taurean Prince, but it’s fair to argue that Porter would have the highest ceiling of the trio.
When healthy, Porter is a dynamic athlete who can shoot with legitimate NBA range and beat his man off the bounce from 24 feet. He’s also a tremendous rebounder, which enables him to play either forward position at a high level.
I’m high on both Collins and Prince, but Atlanta’s history of passing on the great to believe in the good shouldn’t continue in this new era. Porter is the pick.
Knicks Note: Michael Porter Jr. is an option at No. 9. If he falls that far, he’d be the No. 1 realistic option.
Age: 19 (1/4/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’2″, 190 pounds, 6’7″
Slash Line: .447/.336/.778
Season Averages: 29.9 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 3PM
Some may believe that the Orlando Magic are reaching here, but this franchise desperately needs a point guard. Whether it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Collin Sexton, or Trae Young, the Magic need a player who can solidify the most important position in the modern NBA.
Thus, while I’m inclined to believe Orlando should go with a center to recreate its past success, I also can’t overlook the depth chart.
I listed Young to the Magic the previous time around, but Sexton is the pick here. He’s a penetrating point guard who can put the team on his back as a scorer, work off-ball to help space the floor, or focus his energy to facilitate the offense.
It’s all still coming together for Sexton, but if the 19-year-old puts in the work to polish his skill set, he should become a perennial All-Star.
On the defensive end of the floor, Sexton was coached well by former NBA Coach of the Year Avery Johnson. He’s garnered Eric Bledsoe comparisons for his two-way potential, but if we’re being candid, this is mostly about offense.
Sexton can defend situationally, but what Orlando needs most is a point guard who can meet contemporary standards and lead the offense.
Knicks Note: If the New York Knicks want a slashing point guard alongside Frank Ntilikina, Collin Sexton would certainly make sense.
Age: 19 (5/2/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 225 pounds, 7’9″
Slash Line: .541/.275/.681
Season Averages: 30.2 MPG, 12.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.2 ORPG, 3.6 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 3PM
The Chicago Bulls need a wing who can defend at a high level and a center who can do the same. Robin Lopez is the ultimate team player and Denzel Valentine has flashed two-way potential, but the Bulls need to capitalize on what could be its last lottery pick for quite some time.
With a solid foundation of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen already in place, the Bulls take the best player available: Mohamed Bamba.
Some might argue that Jackson has a higher ceiling, but Bamba fits exactly what the Bulls need. They already have two ball-dominant perimeter players and a scoring big, which makes the primary requirement a rim protecting big who can rebound at a high level.
Bamba certainly fits the bill with his gargantuan 7’9″ wingspan and rankings of No. 5 in the NCAA in block percentage and No. 15 in defensive rebound percentage.
Offensively, Bamba has proven capable of collapsing defenses in the post and creating second chances via the offensive glass. He’s also an improving shooter who has flashed the ability to convert from beyond the three-point line.
Bamba has a higher ceiling than Markkanen, but in Chicago, he could focus on defense knowing there’s another big who can score and prevent his energy from being spread too thin.
Knicks Note: Mohamed Bamba is unlikely to fall to No. 9, but he and Kristaps Porzingis would form an incomparable interior for the New York Knicks.
Age: 18 (9/15/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 242 pounds, 7’4″
Slash Line: .513/.396/.797
Season Averages: 21.8 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 1.1 APG, 3.0 BPG, 1.1 3PM
Whether it’s Mohamed Bamba or Jaren Jackson Jr., the Sacramento Kings would be taking a center in this scenario. Sacramento simply needs to acquire talent as it makes a push for a return to relevance, which makes the best players available the top options.
With Bamba going to the Bulls at No. 6 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Kings invest in the overwhelming potential that Jackson possesses.
Jackson is a player with legitimate superstar potential, but it’s his safer upside projection that makes this such a justifiable pick. Even if he fails to put the rest together, Jackson is still an excellent three-point shooter and a legitimately elite shot-blocker.
3-and-D players are valuable along the perimeter, but when said player can dominate the interior, they reach an entirely new level of importance.
As far as his ceiling is concerned, Jackson has the tools to be a legitimate franchise player. He displayed the ability to go to the post, which is to be expected of a big, but he also showcased a tight handle that enabled him to attack closeouts.
Jackson is something of a project as far as realizing his true potential is concerned, but there should be no question whatsoever about how good he could become.
Knicks Note: To say Jackson would be a dream target for the New York Knicks would be an extreme understatement. He’d fit perfectly with Kristaps Porzingis.
Age: 19 (9/19/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’2″, 180 pounds, 6’4″
Slash Line: .422/.360/.861
Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 27.4 PPG, 8.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 3.7 3PM
The Cleveland Cavaliers have needs across the board, including a potential replacement for LeBron James. That makes Mikal Bridges a compelling option for a Cavaliers team that desperately needs to improve on defense along the wings.
True as that may be, the Cavaliers need to improve at the point guard position if they’re going to make their mark in the modern era.
Young is the single most polarizing player in the 2018 NBA Draft, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t worth a top-10 selection. He’s an elite three-point shooter with deep range. He’s also the single best facilitator—and he’s a true facilitator—in this draft class.
For a Cavaliers team that may lose its go-to scoring option and No. 1 facilitator, adding a player who can at least help build the offense would be progress.
In the event that James re-signs with the Cavaliers, Young would be the perfect player to team with him. Not only is he a brilliant passer with high-level court vision who can simplify the game for James, but he’s an excellent shooter who can work without the ball.
Young may not be a sure-thing as a scorer, but he can shoot the lights out and should at least be a starter off of his facilitating vision and ability alone.
Knicks Note: Trae Young may be polarizing, but he would fit wonderfully alongside Frank Ntilikina with the New York Knicks.
Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 210 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .512/.435/.848
Season Averages: 32.0 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 2.6 3PM
The New York Knicks have a difficult decision to make at No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Knicks can either fortify the interior by selecting Duke Blue Devils center Wendell Carter Jr. or finally legitimize the perimeter with Villanova Wildcats small forward Mikal Bridges.
For as compelling as Carter is as the center who could alleviate pressure from Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks simply can’t continue to struggle along the defensive perimeter.
Regardless of how one may feel about his offensive game, most agree that Bridges is the best on-ball defender in the 2018 NBA Draft. He has elite physical tools for a wing at 6’7″ with a 7’2″ wingspan and high-level athleticism, but that’s only a fraction of what makes him so impressive.
Bridges has a fundamental understanding of how to defend, which enables him to lock down wings and switch on to players at all five positions.
Offensively, if nothing else translates to the NBA, Bridges should continue to be an elite three-point shooter. He has a high release point and seemingly limitless range, which should appeal to a Knicks team that finished 2017-18 ranked No. 29 in the Association in three-point field goals made.
Throw in the fact that Bridges has a relentless work ethic, a vastly improved handle, and the ability to finish with both hands, and he’s a player with true star potential.
Age: 18 (6/24/1999)
Height & Weight: 6’5″ & 180 pounds
Slash Line: .556/.450/.717
Season Averages: 28.4 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 3PM
The Philadelphia 76ers have five players who are locked in as starters and potential stars. Those players are guards Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons, small forward Robert Covington, power forward Dario Saric, and center Joel Embiid.
Knowing all of that to be true, the 76ers make the only rational decision for a mock draft without trades: Select a project with exceptional upside.
If you’re looking for comparisons, think Gerald Green athletically and Andre Roberson on the defensive end of the floor. Offensively, Smith is a raw player who doesn’t have anything to fall back on at this stage of his development.
What’s unequivocally true about him, however, is that he has the type of natural instincts that few players display at any stage of their career.
Smith is a capable shooter, passer, and rebounder, but it’s the way he approaches those tasks that makes him so intriguing. His shot selection is beyond his years, his vision as a passer is criminally underrated, and his approach to rebounding is situational.
Simply put: Smith has the athleticism to do just about anything he wants on the court, but the basketball IQ and poise to take his time.
Knicks Note: I’m inching closer to putting Zhaire Smith at No. 1 on the list of prospects for the New York Knicks.
Age: 19 (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 Charlotte Hornets have an abundance of centers, including former New York Knicks fan favorite Willy Hernangomez. The reality in Charlotte, however, is that for all of the talent it’s accumulated at the 5-spot, it hasn’t found the right player.
While some might argue that the Hornets are prepared to move on from the pursuit of the center that Steve Clifford idealized, Wendell Carter Jr. is easily the best player available.
It’s never too late to find the right player at a position, and that’s exactly what Carter would be for Charlotte. He’s the complete package on both ends of the floor, displaying the versatility to play multiple roles for an NBA team.
Whether he’s passing out of the high post, scoring from the low block, spacing the floor, or crashing the boards, Carter can do it all offensively.
Defensively, Carter is an excellent rebounder and a solid enough athlete to switch against the pick and roll. He also has strong hands that help him pull down boards in traffic and excel on the other end of the floor as a target off of high screens.
Charlotte may have a surplus of centers on the roster, but Carter has all of the tools to blow the rest away and become the full-time starter of the future.
Knicks Note: The New York Knicks should give serious consideration to selecting Carter. He could be the Al Horford, only tougher.
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
Regardless of which position is favored, the Los Angeles Clippers need talent. Los Angeles is a fringe postseason team with multiple lottery picks, which means it has a chance to gamble on upside and develop its investments into rewarding choices.
That all begins with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who could either be the point guard or the shooting guard of the future for Jerry West and Michael Winger’s vision.
Gilgeous-Alexander is a 6’6″ point guard with a 7’0″ wingspan and the quickness to get by the first defender. He utilizes his length, court vision, and finishing ability to keep opposing defenses off-balance as they attempt to predict which course of action he’ll take on the drive.
That’s a valuable asset for any position, but it especially helps a Clippers team that saw its point guards fall victim to a steady stream of injuries in 2017-18.
What makes Gilgeous-Alexander more intriguing than most of the 6’6″ point guards who came before him is that he’s already a solid shooter. He knows his limitations, but he’s also not afraid to let shots fly when defenses give him space.
As a penetrating playmaker who can shoot with range and defend multiple positions, Gilgeous-Alexander is a star in the making who deserves more hype.
Knicks Note: Gilgeous-Alexander went to the New York Knicks in our previous mock draft. It’s a possibility to consider.
Age: 20 (10/17/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9″, 241 pounds, 7’5.5″
Slash Line: .632/.000/.471
Season Averages: 25.6 MPG, 10.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 1.4 APG, 2.6 BPG, 0.8 SPG
With a point guard of the future selected at No. 12 overall, the Los Angeles Clippers turn their attention to the interior. With DeAndre Jordan preparing to enter free agency, the Clippers could have a void to fill as soon as July 1.
Thus, with the No. 13 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Clippers select Texas A&M Aggies center Robert Williams to be their new man in the middle.
Williams, like Jordan, is an athletic center with a monster wingspan and tremendous value on the defensive end of the floor. He’s further along in his development than Jordan was at this stage of his career, which bodes well for the Clippers.
Williams ranked in the top 25 in the country in block percentage in both of his seasons at Texas A&M, and improved to No. 26 in defensive rebound percentage in 2017-18.
What makes Williams such an intriguing prospect is that he’s displayed the foundation for a high-level offensive game. He excels from midrange and has displayed a desire to expand his range to beyond the arc when the time comes to do so.
When all else fails, Williams is an explosive athlete who can defend the perimeter and protect the paint with his near 7’6″ wingspan.
Knicks Notes: A number of New York Knicks fans have suggested Williams as the center to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis. The more homework I do, the more I warm up to it.
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 need to prepare for the possibility of Paul Millsap nearing the end of the line. They likely knew as much when the three-time All-Star was signed to just a four-year deal, but an injury-plagued 2017-18 campaign doesn’t bode well for an undersized player at 33 years of age.
Thankfully for the Nuggets, there’s a prospect who could be worth investing in as the heir apparent to Millsap: Kevin Knox.
Knox is a hybrid forward who can fill in at either the 3 or the 4 spot for the Nuggets. He has the athleticism to thrive in the open court, the skill level to space the floor or attack a closeout, and the length to defend multiple positions.
His skill set is still somewhat unrefined, but that’s to be expected of a player who won’t turn 19 years of age until August 11.
The upside for Knox is that of an All-Star who can play and defend multiple positions. The basement is admittedly a bust who struggles to find their niche, but Denver would be the perfect team for him due to the system they run.
If the Nuggets make this selection, it stands to reason that Millsap could help Knox develop into a player who provides similar contributions in the NBA.
Knicks Notes: If Mikal Bridges is off the court, Knox will be an option. Some members of the Knicks are reportedly high on him.
Age: 20 (4/1/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 223 pounds, 7’4″
Slash Line: N/A
Season Averages: N/A
The Washington Wizards have one option at No. 15 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft: Strike gold. Washington has far too much talent to be this low in the draft at any point in the near future, which means this is an opportunity that Ernie Grunfeld must capitalize on.
Thankfully for the Wizards, there’s a high-risk, high-reward prospect who could be the star that brings the championship vision together: Mitchell Robinson.
With a core of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter Jr., and Kelly Oubre Jr., the Wizards could conceivably embrace a stretch 4 approach. That would require a center in the middle who can anchor the defense, however, as Ian Mahinmi has underachieved and Marcin Gortat is 34.
Robinson is a physical Goliath at 6’11” with a 7’4″ wingspan, as well as an explosive athlete who has proven capable of dominating the interior.
Robinson’s rebounding ability made waves at the Nike EYBL, and that trait should translate to the next level. He’s also displayed the ability to face up offensively, and has been working to prepare his game for the NBA during what would have been his freshman season.
If the Wizards are willing to take a chance, then it’s Robinson who should be the prospect whom the organization gives a chance to fill a vital void.
Knicks Notes: Mitchell Robinson is unlikely to be a target for the New York Knicks, but that could change come the pre-draft workouts.
Age: 20 (3/21/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 225 pounds, 6’9″
Slash Line: .463/.369/.883
Season Averages: 31.2 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.0 3PM
Assuming the 2018 NBA Draft goes this way, the Phoenix Suns will have franchise players at shooting guard and center. Phoenix also has a competition at power forward between Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss, and a productive point guard in Elfrid Payton.
I’m not entirely sold on Payton being the point guard of the future, but Miles Bridges is too clearly the best player available for this pick to go anywhere else.
Bridges is undersized for the forward positions, but he’s a bruising scorer with a modern skill set and explosive leaping ability. He’s dramatically improved his offensive skill set, including a tightened handle, a cleaner release off the bounce, and a more than respectable midrange game.
Bridges is also an excellent passer who’s comfortable handling the ball and setting his teammates up for open looks in the half court or transition.
What rounds Bridges’ draft stock into form is his versatility on the defensive end of the floor. T.J. Warren may be the better scorer, but Bridges is a more well-rounded player and projects to be a significantly better defender than Warren, who ranks amongst the worst in the NBA in that regard.
It’s possible that the Suns will select a point guard instead, but Bridges is the best player available and the versatile defender whom Phoenix needs along the wings.
Knicks Note: The New York Knicks are reportedly high on Miles Bridges. If Mikal Bridges is off the board, he could be the pick.
Age: 21 (9/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’1″, 185 pounds, 6’6″
Slash Line: .461/.429/.828
Season Averages: 37.7 MPG, 20.3 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 2.7 3PM
The Milwaukee Bucks have a one-man team in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he needs help if he’s going to lead this team to the promise land. Khris Middleton is an unbelievably underrated wing, Malcolm Brogdon is an excellent combo guard, and Eric Bledsoe thrived in the regular season.
A lineup of Bledsoe, Brogdon, Middleton, and Antetokounmpo should prosper, but the depth beyond them is lacking and there isn’t a center worth taking at No. 17.
Aaron Holiday may seem redundant with Bledsoe and Brogdon on the roster, but adding a two-way point guard should be a focus. Bledsoe may have talent, but he’s also a player with a history of knee injuries who will be in his contract year in 2018-19.
Thus, with the Bucks retaining the rights to the 2018 pick they traded for Bledsoe, it’s only rational to select a player who can fill his void in the event that he leaves.
As for what Holiday brings to the table, he’s an exceptional three-point shooter and a vastly improved distributor who can create for himself and others. He can work with or without the ball, which would alleviate a significant amount of pressure from Antetokounmpo.
Considering Milwaukee ranked No. 27 in three-point field goals made in 2017-18, that alone should make Holiday a player of interest.
Knicks Note: Aaron Holiday isn’t currently an option at No. 9, but much could change for the New York Knicks between now and June 21.
Age: 19 (12/14/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 192 pounds, 6’10.5″
Slash Line: .415/.346/.750
Season Averages: 27.4 MPG, 11.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 3PM
No matter what transpires with Kawhi Leonard, the San Antonio Spurs need players who can create offense. The system is going to be beautiful for as long as the players buy in, but the Spurs’ lack of shot creators has been a damaging blow in close games.
Thankfully for Gregg Popovich and company, there’s a player who possesses legitimate star potential at No. 18 overall: Lonnie Walker IV.
Walker is one of the few players in this draft class who has the tools to become a genuine go-to scoring option. He’s the Donovan Mitchell of the 2018 NBA Draft, with the explosive athleticism and dynamic skill set to torment teams with his scoring ability.
Walker has also displayed the willingness and ability to lock opponents down on the defensive end of the floor via his length, athleticism, and aggressiveness.
A safer upside comparison for Walker would be Courtney Lee, who has spent 10 seasons playing significant minutes in the NBA. With the Spurs’ system behind him, however, Walker could tap into the upper limits of his star potential.
Walker is one of the top 15 players on my board, but he falls to the Spurs in what would truly be a perfect match for both player and team.
Knicks Note: If the New York Knicks believe Tim Hardaway Jr. can play small forward on a full-time basis, then Walker should be an option at No. 9.
Age: 21 (4/26/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 196 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .475/.359/.728
Season Averages: 31.0 MPG, 20.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.5 3PM
The Atlanta Hawks selected a potential franchise cornerstone at No. 4 overall in forward Michael Porter Jr. It was a decision that could limit the time that either John Collins or Taurean Prince will spend in Atlanta, but it would give the organization a real shot at developing a superstar.
With the forward positions addressed and Dennis Schröder at point guard, the Hawks turn their attention to the 2-spot, where Chandler Hutchison would be the perfect fit.
Porter is a dynamic scorer and Schröder can penetrate against any caliber of defender, but there’s a need for spacing along the wings. Atlanta will also need a shot creator at a perimeter position if Porter proves to be more of a 4 than a 3.
Thankfully, Hutchison is one of the best scorers in this draft class—a truth that’s as much about his fundamental prowess as it is his creativity.
Hutchison is a 6’7″ wing with a 7’0″ wingspan, a tight handle, and a solid jump shot from both midrange and beyond the arc. He can finish at the rim with both hands and is more than capable of pulling out an acrobatic move to get two points in traffic.
Throw in Hutchison’s intriguing offensive potential and he becomes the best choice for the Hawks at No. 19 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Knicks Notes: As the New York Knicks look for length along the perimeter, Hutchison is a dark horse prospect at No. 9.
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 Minnesota Timberwolves should work the wings at No. 20 overall. Jeff Teague and Tyus Jones dominate the minutes at point guard, and Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins receive a lion’s share of the playing time at the 2 and the 3, but Minnesota needs depth along the perimeter.
It’s fair to question how much playing time a wing would actually receive in Minnesota, but Khyri Thomas would provide exactly what this team needs.
Thomas is a 6’3″ shooting guard, but his 6’10” wingspan and NBA-level athleticism more than address that concern. He’s also a rugged defender who routinely hounds ball-handlers and excels at playing the passing lanes.
That certainly fits the Tom Thibodeau mold, which implies that Thomas could earn playing time with the Timberwolves as soon as his rookie season.
Offensively, Thomas is one of the best three-point shooters in the 2018 NBA Draft. He can create to some extent, but he’s at his best when he’s allowed to work without the ball and shoot in rhythm as a catch-and-shoot marksman.
If the Timberwolves want to make the leap to elite, they must improve upon their ranking of No. 30 in three-point field goals made in 2017-18. Thomas would help them do so.
Knicks Note: Khyri Thomas is a long-shot target for the New York Knicks, but if he somehow slides down board, he could be an option in Round 2.
Age: 18 (7/28/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 215 pounds, 6’8″
Slash Line: .444/.291/.743
Season Averages: 31.2 MPG, 11.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.9 3PM
If there’s one thing that the Utah Jazz have proven to covet, it’s skill. Utah isn’t quite as concerned with natural talent as other franchises, but is instead focused on acquiring players who work hard to hone their craft and thus fit in Quin Snyder’s system.
Dzanan Musa received consideration here, but the Jazz stay true to skill-plus-defense-equals-our-type-of-player form with Troy Brown.
Brown has garnered comparisons to Evan Turner, which isn’t a bad projection. Much like Turner, Brown can do a bit of everything on the offensive end of the floor, including take over the offense and facilitate with efficiency.
The primary difference between the two on offense is that Brown appears to have already realized how important the three-point shot will be for him.
In Utah, Brown would have the perfect mentor in Joe Ingles. Ingles could help Brown learn the system. He could also teach the incoming rookie how to pick his spots as a scorer and help him develop a more effective three-point shot.
Brown has the tools to be an All-Star and All-Defense honoree, but finding the right team and system will be crucial. Utah would be the right team and fit.
Knicks Notes: Expect Brown to surface as an option for the New York Knicks at No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 200 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .556/.385/.712
Season Averages: 34.4 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.2 3PM
The Chicago Bulls addressed one of two voids by selecting Mohamed Bamba at No. 6 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. Bamba will be the rim protector who simplifies the game for the promising core of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen.
With a void remaining at small forward, the Bulls target Tulane Green Wave small forward and lockdown defender Melvin Frazier.
Frazier’s offensive game may never reach the heights of the elite, but he’s one of the top five on-ball defenders in this draft class. He gets after ball-handlers with relentless tenacity and has an advanced understanding of how to play the passing lanes.
Throw in a vastly improved jump shot that displays the power of Frazier’s work ethic, and he could be the 3-and-D wing who rounds the Bulls into form.
With a monster wingspan and the basketball IQ to defend multiple positions, Frazier is a prospect who should be receiving more attention than he is. In Chicago, he could be the player who helps simplify the game for LaVine—and his surgically repaired knee.
There are other options here, but with the franchise center locked up early, the Bulls shouldn’t look any further than Frazier at small forward.
Knicks Note: Melvin Frazier is unlikely to be a top-10 pick, but if he’s available in Round 2, the New York Knicks shouldn’t hesitate to select him.
Age: 21 (9/26/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 205 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .449/.434/.847
Season Averages: 36.4 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 2.5 3PM
Melvin Frazier would have been the perfect pick for the Indiana Pacers, but it’s not as though all hope is lost. In fact, Frazier’s absence actually allows the Pacers to focus on selecting the best player available and going from there.
In this scenario, the best player available happens to fill a significant void for a Pacers team that needs to solidify the point guard position: Shake Milton.
The Pacers are one of the teams that have a ball-dominant playmaker who isn’t a point guard. Thus, the obligations that Milton will be asked to fulfill will be drastically different in Indiana than what would be asked of him elsewhere.
Rather than facilitating the offense in a Chris Paul or Rajon Rondo capacity, Milton will be tasked with blending on and off-ball duties—and he’s perfectly equipped to do so.
Milton is a 6’6″ point guard with above-average court vision and one of the top five jump shots in the 2018 NBA Draft. He shot at least 42.3 percent from beyond the arc in each of his three seasons at SMU, and did so while averaging 2.2 three-point field goals made per game.
An injury-plagued junior season may hurt Milton’s draft stock, but he’d be the perfect prospect to develop alongside Oladipo in Indiana.
Knicks Note: Shake Milton is a player I’ve linked to the New York Knicks in the past. He and Frank Ntilikina would form a unique backcourt.
Age: 22 (1/23/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 235 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .480/.359/.794
Season Averages: 33.1 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 1.6 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 1.8 3PM
The Portland Trail Blazers have a star-caliber backup and a center who played exceptionally well during the regular season. The quality of play at the two forward positions has been unpredictable, however, due in large part to the maligned 2016 offseason.
With a chance to select a hybrid forward who can join Al-Farouq Aminu in defending both the 3 and the 4 spots, the Trail Blazers select Keita Bates-Diop.
Bates-Diop is one of the better defensive players in the 2018 NBA Draft. He proved exactly why during his extensive career with the Ohio State Buckeyes, for which he defended every position from 2 to 4 with compelling success.
A positionally versatile forward who has the length and athleticism to help solidify the Trail Blazers’ improved defense, Bates-Diop is an ideal fit at No. 24.
In terms of his skill set, Bates-Diop is an excellent rebounder and a dramatically improved three-point shooter. He’s also a willing and able passer who can set his teammates up off the bounce, and a competent post scorer who can work from the elbow or the low block.
Bates-Diop may never be a star in the NBA, but he should have a long and rewarding career as a well-rounded contributor who can fill multiple roles.
Knicks Note: Keita Bates-Diop is unlikely to be available for the New York Knicks, but he’s the type of well-rounded defender whom Scott Perry would covet.
Age: 19 (7/31/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 198 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .428/.338/.616
Season Averages: 24.8 MPG, 10.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.7 3PM
Hamidou Diallo is a polarizing prospect, but raw talent and athleticism are traits that can’t be taught. Diallo can jump out of the gym, has explosive speed in the open court, and managed to ride his natural ability to a respectable freshman season.
Diallo will be a project for whichever team selects him at the 2018 NBA Draft, but the Los Angeles Lakers shouldn’t shy away from the opportunity to be that franchise.
Diallo has a massive 7’0″ wingspan and a 44.5″ max vertical leap, which is all you need to know about why scouts are intrigued. It’s about more than physical tools, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another shooting guard who can match those measurements.
Those who do tend to find some measure of success in the NBA, especially when they end up with organizations that are structured as well as the Lakers.
Diallo had his ups and downs as a freshman at Kentucky, but he flashed the potential of the player he could become. He’s an overwhelming defender when he’s locked in, has mechanically solid shooting form, and can already attack closeouts with effectiveness.
The Lakers can afford to take a chance on upside at No. 25 overall, and one could easily make the case that no shooting guard has more of it in 2018 than Diallo.
Knicks Note: Tim Hardaway Jr. could be the shooting guard of the future, but Hamidou Diallo has the potential to be an even better player if the New York Knicks manage to draft him.
Age: 21 (3/22/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 225 pounds, 6’10.5″
Slash Line: .523/.300/.730
Season Averages: 31.0 MPG, 15.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.6 APG, 1.7 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 3PM
Projecting draft picks for the Philadelphia 76ers has become a process that isn’t exactly sensible. The 76ers have every position locked down for the foreseeable future with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, Robert Covington, and Dario Saric.
Having gone all-in on upside with Zhaire Smith at No. 10 overall, the 76ers now turn their attention to the one position that has some measure of uncertainty: Power forward.
Chimezie Metu is regarded by most as a fringe first-round prospect, but he makes sense for the 76ers at No. 26 overall. He’s an athletic big who runs the floor well, crashes the boards at a high level, and has displayed the ability to play from the post.
Even if he ends up playing as a backup, Metu would provide depth in the frontcourt for a franchise that needs insurance for its injury risks.
Metu is an athletic big with a solid motor, which is a combination that will always sell to NBA teams. He’s still somewhat raw as far as his skill set is concerned, but he contributes in every phase of the game and projects to be a quality defender.
For the 76ers, finding a big man with upside and the ability to work both interior spots would be enough to justify the selection at No. 26 overall.
Knicks Note: Many in the New York Knicks community are mentioning Metu as a target in the second round. His athleticism would certainly address a need.
Age: 19 (6/11/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11”, 250 pounds, 7’1.5″
Slash Line: .545/.333/.725
Season Averages: 28.8 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.1 ORPG, 1.8 BPG
The Boston Celtics have a team that’s as promising in its youth as it is star-studded in its veteran nature. All-Stars Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford are complemented by rising stars Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and Jayson Tatum.
If there’s a position at which the Celtics are still questionable, however, it’s center—where Horford is soon to turn 32 years of age.
There could be other options at No. 27 overall, but Brandon McCoy is the long-term project whom the Celtics could help realize his All-Star potential. Fit will be crucial for McCoy, as he’s an admittedly raw player who lacks a signature skill.
He’s a massive individual who plays as big as he is, however, and has all of the physical tools to be the two-way force whom Boston is lacking.
Standing at just under 7’0″ with a near 7’2″ wingspan and broad shoulders, McCoy could be the throwback center who brings the Celtics’ vision together. Even if he can’t replace Horford long-term, he should provide an ideal change of pace coming off the bench.
With the raw ability to go to the post and shoot from midrange, there’s certainly something for Brad Stevens to work with here.
Knicks Notes: McCoy could realistically be available to the New York Knicks in Round 2. If that proves to be the case, then he could thrive alongside Kristaps Porzingis.
Age: 18 (11/15/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 240 pounds, 7’0″
Slash Line: .437/.364/.750
Season Averages: 24.5 MPG, 9.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.7 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.2 3PM
It sounds odd to say based on what we know about the star power on the roster, but the Golden State Warriors actually have a need. As the NBA embraces the movement of dynamic big men, the Warriors need to be able to counter those lineups situationally.
Thus, while Jontay Porter may not be a lock to be a first-round draft pick, he’s a perfect fit for the Warriors at center—with or without Jordan Bell on the roster.
Porter is an athletic big man who can run the floor in an up-tempo offense and protect the rim in the half court. He ranked in the top 100 in the country in defensive rebound percentage and block percentage as a freshman, and could produce well in both areas in the NBA.
Offensively, Porter has three-point range on his jump shot and is one of the best passing big men in this draft class—a combination the Warriors have been known to covet.
There may be better players on the board, but this pick fits what the Warriors are missing. Porter is a mobile big man who can help defend the pick and roll, as well as a floor-spacing threat who can help provide a sense of continuity when Draymond Green exits the game.
There are other options that will be considered here, including Anfernee Simons, but the Warriors would be wise to find a cost-efficient center.
Knicks Note: Porter could be available in Round 2, where the New York Knicks could create an intriguing interior duo with he and Kristaps Porzingis.
Age: 18 (6/8/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 181 pounds, 6’7″
Slash Line: N/A
Season Averages: N/A
The Brooklyn Nets have one of the premier personnel development specialists in the NBA at head coach in Kenny Atkinson. Thus, it makes sense for the Nets to swing for the fences and take a chance on the undeniable upside of Anfernee Simons.
Simons is making the transition from high school to the NBA, but Brooklyn can provide the infrastructure for him to realize his potential.
One could argue that Brooklyn already has too many guards with Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, and D’Angelo Russell all fighting for minutes. Until one of those players proves to be a franchise player, however, drafting for potential is justifiable.
Selecting the best player available would be the most rational approach at No. 29 overall, and Simons fits the bill as far as upside is concerned.
Simons is a combo guard with a tight handle, a quick first step, and advanced instincts as far as scoring is concerned. He isn’t yet a true point guard, but he’s proven capable of helping lead an offense when complemented by another shot creator.
The Nets could develop a postseason-caliber backcourt in the form of Simons and Russell, who are both combo guards who can trade possessions leading the offense.
Knicks Note: It’s unlikely that the New York Knicks will have a chance to draft Simons, but if they do, he could be a project pick in the second round.
Age: 21 (3/13/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 180 pounds, ~7’0″
Slash Line: .489/.442/.825
Season Averages: 31.7 MPG, 14.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.2 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.6 3PM
The Atlanta Hawks have selected a franchise forward in Michael Porter Jr. and a potential starting shooting guard in Chandler Hutchison. At No. 30 overall, the Hawks will have two options: Drafting for need or going all-in on talent.
With the No. 33 overall selection likely allowing the Hawks to select a center, the pick instead becomes the best point guard on the board.
Dennis Schröder is a rising star at point guard, but he’s still one of the worst defensive players in the NBA. Thus, the Hawks select a player who has the physical tools to become a better defender than Schröder and a highly effective offensive playmaker: Landry Shamet.
Shamet should be garnering more hype than he is, but that works out wonderfully for the Hawks—a team in need of depth in the playmaking department.
Shamet is a lights-out three-point shooter who converted 156 three-point field goals on 44.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc over the past two seasons. He’s also made progress as a distributor, displaying improved instincts and superior vision to where he was in 2016-17.
Shamet admittedly isn’t a great defender himself, but he’s a young and impressionable player who has the size and athleticism to defend at an at least solid level.
Knicks Note: Landry Shamet would garner serious consideration from the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft.
Must Read: The New York Knicks' Top 5 2018 NBA Draft targets
Influenced largely by the trends set in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, this mock draft outlines how the New York Knicks can make progress towards a return to form.