The New York Knicks have hired David Fizdale to fill the vacancy at head coach. How might his presence change the franchise’s plans for the 2018 NBA Draft?
The New York Knicks have completed the coaching search by hiring David Fizdale. Fizdale, 43, will be the Knicks’ third full-time head coach since the organization drafted Kristaps Porzingis in 2015—and ideally the last for quite some time.
While the reception to the decision to hire Fizdale has been generally positive, there’s a significant question that must be answered: What does this mean for the 2018 NBA Draft?
The move to hire Fizdale may end up being the most significant decision that the Knicks make this offseason. There will be other manners in which New York attempts to build for the future, however, including free agency.
The most important event of the offseason, however, is likely to be the 2018 NBA Draft—a process that will provide the organization with an opportunity to find a building block.
New York currently has the ninth-best lottery odds in the 2018 NBA Draft, which could limit its options. Nevertheless, there will be an abundance of attractive options for the Knicks to consider at that stage of the annual selection process.
The question is: Who would the top five 2018 NBA Draft targets be for the New York Knicks upon hiring David Fizdale as head coach?
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.
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
As previously alluded to, David Fizdale ran a great deal of his offense with the Memphis Grizzlies out of the high post. It made sense based on the personnel, but it stands to reason that his constant elbow action could return with the New York Knicks.
In the event that such transpires, it would behoove the New York Knicks to give Fizdale a big who can pass from the high post—and that’s where Wendell Carter Jr. comes into play.
Carter is a tenacious rebounder whose production doesn’t do him justice when one considers that he played alongside Marvin Bagley III. Carter does a fundamentally solid job of gaining position down low and has the combination of long arms and strong hands to win the battles down low.
For a Knicks team that could conceivably lose both Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn to free agency, adding a center who can dominate the boards would certainly be ideal.
Offensively, Carter has expanding range on his jump shot and the passing ability to be Fizdale’s high-post facilitator. Defensively, he can protect the paint as a shot-blocker and switch against the pick and roll with reasonable effectiveness.
Throw in the promise Carter displayed as a back-to-the-basket scoring threat, and he could be the perfect big to place alongside Porzingis.
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 have a surplus of point guards on the roster, but that doesn’t mean they’ve found the right player for the job. Frank Ntilikina has shown signs of being more comfortable at the 2 and neither Trey Burke nor Emmanuel Mudiay have proven they’re full-time starters.
Thus, the Knicks must at least consider the possibility of selecting a point guard who can be a franchise-level talent—and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fits the bill.
Standing at 6’6″ with a 7’0″ wingspan, a quick first step, and a tight handle, Gilgeous-Alexander has all of the tools to be an All-Star point guard. He can create consistent penetration, and finishes plays as both a drive-and-dish distributor and a crafty scorer.
Gilgeous-Alexander can also shoot from either midrange or beyond the arc, albeit with mechanics that will need to be stabilized at the next level.
Defensively, Gilgeous-Alexander would create a truly fluid backcourt with Frank Ntilikina. The Knicks would have two guards who have the height and length to defend all three perimeter positions, which would be an undeniable advantage.
If Fizdale is looking for a unique way to create a potent offense and an overwhelming defense, then pairing Gilgeous-Alexander with Ntilikina would qualify as such.
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
Kevin Knox needs to polish his skill set and define his true position, but he undoubtedly has starting-caliber potential in the NBA. Some are even of the belief that he could be a star at the next level, and the game film supports that claim.
Knox is a hybrid forward who can do a bit of everything on both ends of the floor, and David Fizdale is the type of coach who can help him find his identity as a player.
Knox has the size, length, and athleticism to thrive at either forward position, as well as the build to take on players in the post. That versatility should sell the Knicks on his potential, as he could either start at the 3 or move to power forward to help Kristaps Porzingis transition to the 5.
Knox needs to improve his production as a rebounder, but he at least has the physical tools to thrive in that regard. He can also take on stretch bigs.
Offensively, Knox has a solid handle that gives him the ability to attack a closeout and occasionally create penetration against a set defense. He can shoot with three-point range, is a force in transition, and sees the floor well as a passer.
Knox has the potential to be a Josh Smith type of player, which should appeal to Fizdale, who needs a versatile wing to be the glue to his system.
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 New York Knicks shouldn’t be afraid to make a play for superstar potential at the 2018 NBA Draft. That may require a measure of patience with a project player who will have limited short-term value, but it’d be a gamble worth taking.
With a season on the horizon that most expect to produce a return to the NBA Draft Lottery, that inevitably places Zhaire Smith on the radar.
Smith is one of the most gifted athletes you’ll ever see on a basketball court, which is reason enough to at least explore his potential. He also has a 6’10” wingspan and the natural instincts that few possess at any stage of their development.
Smith is still fundamentally raw, but he can play every role from point forward to off-ball scorer to shot creator off of pure talent, athleticism, and basketball IQ.
Some may be better right now, but few have a higher ceiling than Smith long-term.
Smith’s unrefined skill set will turn some off, but his elite defensive potential should offset those concerns. He’s not only capable of elite-level defense, but has displayed the ability to hound ball-handlers and overwhelm opponents with his length, athleticism, and intelligence.
With Andre Roberson potential on defense, Gerald Green level explosiveness, and the offensive instincts to reach superstar status, Smith has special potential.
Must Read: Five reasons to love the David Fizdale hiring
The New York Knicks have a chance to build a significantly brighter future through the 2018 NBA Draft. One of these five prospects could help David Fizdale do so.