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New York Knicks: Top 5 2018 NBA Draft targets after David Fizdale hiring

By Maxwell Ogden

MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 11: David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies coaches during an all access practice on April 11, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 11: David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies coaches during an all access practice on April 11, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts the net after the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 02: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats cuts the net after the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

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 Villanova Wildcats won two national championships during Mikal Bridges’ three seasons as an active player. Bridges played a critical role in both of those runs, thriving as the team’s top perimeter defender and a well-rounded offensive player.

As the New York Knicks prepare to play for a head coach who will feature a heavy emphasis on rugged defense and three-point shooting, it’s hard to overlook Bridges.

Bridges’ combination of size, length, and athleticism enables him to defend players at all three positions. There are fair concerns about his apprehension when games get physical, but a coach like David Fizdale can help him overcome that issue.

With a player who’s capable of defending almost every position on the floor, the Knicks would essentially find the perfect complement for Frank Ntilikina and Kristaps Porzingis.

Offensively, Bridges is an elite three-point shooter who can help the Knicks improve upon a ranking of No. 29 in three-point field goals made in 2017-18. He’s also made drastic improvements to his handle, passing ability, and ambidextrous nature as a finisher.

Bridges may not be the perfect prospect right now, but he should be an immediately solid NBA player with a chance to develop into an All-Star and All-Defense mainstay.

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