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New York Knicks prioritizing wings in 2018 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: Steve Mills and David Fizdale of the New York Knicks during a press conference announcing David Fizdale as the new head coach on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: Steve Mills and David Fizdale of the New York Knicks during a press conference announcing David Fizdale as the new head coach on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks are prioritizing the need to find an athletic wing via the the 2018 NBA Draft. Steve Mills acknowledged as much.

The New York Knicks traded Carmelo Anthony for a package that was centered around center Enes Kanter and small forward Doug McDermott. McDermott played Anthony’s position, which provided a short-term fix, but he was traded on the day of the 2018 NBA trade deadline.

Thus, as the Knicks prepare for an offseason that will go a long way towards determining the validity of their long-term vision, small forward is again a focus.

David Fizdale has spoken about the need to adapt to modern times by embracing positionless possible. True as that may be, there’s a glaring need for size, length, and athleticism along the wings, which is most often found amongst small forwards.

During Fizdale’s introductory press conference, team president Steve Mills acknowledged that the Knicks would prefer to select a wing in the 2018 NBA Draft.

As transcribed by Marc Berman of The New York Post:

"“We need talent, we need athletic players and the position will determine who we pick but in an ideal world, we’d like to get a wing player,” Mills said."

The Knicks would benefit from adding talent at virtually every position, but acquiring the small forward of the future would certainly be ideal.

There are four small forwards who could fit the bill in the top 10 of the 2018 NBA Draft. Mikal Bridges is a 3-and-D specialist, Zhaire Smith is a supreme athlete with elite two-way potential, Kevin Knox is an all-around hybrid forward, and Miles Bridges is a skilled scorer.

Jarred Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is a former five-star recruit whose draft stock has merely been limited by the injury-plagued freshman season he endured.

Standing at 6’8″ with a 7’1″ wingspan, explosive athleticism, a tight handle, Lamar Odom court vision, and intriguing finishing ability, Vanderbilt is worth looking into.

It’s also plausible that the Knicks could select a different player in Round 1 and wait until pick No. 37 to find an athletic wing. Regardless of what the approach proves to be, the franchise will have options as they search for Anthony’s replacement.

Thankfully, there’s a sense of urgency to find the athletic wing who can pull the team together and bring stability to the perimeter.

Must Read: Five sleeper wings to know in the 2018 NBA Draft

In less than two months, the New York Knicks could finally have the wing who becomes the glue to the current vision.

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