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
The New York Knicks are in the same position as just about every other franchise in the Association. In the event that the Knicks secure the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft, it’s highly probable that Deandre Ayton would be the pick.
With a Dwight Howard build, a LaMarcus Aldridge offensive skill set, and the explosive athleticism to pull it all together, Ayton could be special.
Individually, Ayton has the unique combination of size, length, and athleticism that every team covets. He puts those skills to use as an outstanding rebounder and an improving shot-blocker, and has the necessary agility to defend the pick and roll.
Ayton is also a skilled scorer who can play with his back to the basket, face up from midrange, take his man off the bounce, or even convert open shots from beyond the arc.
As far as his fit is concerned, the Knicks would have a potentially dominant interior with Ayton and Kristaps Porzingis. They’d not only overwhelm opponents with their offensive versatility, but complement one another well on the defensive end of the floor.
The Knicks only have a 1.7 percent chance of securing the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft, but crazier things have happened.