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New York Knicks to select best player available in 2018 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: Steve Mills, David Fizdale and Scott Perry 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, David Fizdale and Scott Perry 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 will pick at No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. General manager Scott Perry plans to go with the best player available.

The New York Knicks will have a top-10 draft pick for the third time since 2015. While that may sound like a negative to some, it’s a sign that the Knicks are finally valuing the NBA Draft as a tool for rebuilding in a healthy and cost-efficient manner.

Much could change between now and June 21, but the Knicks have publicly outlined their approach to utilizing the No. 9 overall selection in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The Knicks have a solid foundation in place with guards Tim Hardaway Jr. and Frank Ntilikina, and big man Kristaps Porzingis. It also has talent to develop elsewhere with Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Troy Williams, but the goal remains to improve the quality of the roster.

Following the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery, general manager Scott Perry explained his plan for the annual selection process: Select the best player available.

Most have defined specific positions as areas of need, but Perry is of the belief that the key to rebuilding will be adding talent to the roster.

New York has expressed interest in the likes of Mikal Bridges, Miles Bridges, Luka Doncic, Kevin Knox, Michael Porter Jr., and Collin Sexton. The list could certainly expand, but there’s a wing-heavy focus with high-level guards sprinkled in.

New York has a number of intriguing guards on the roster already, but Perry’s philosophy appears to be cut and dry: Add talent and build around it.

The necessary context, however, is that the Knicks will make it a point to find players who can help the team improve on defense.

It’s certainly plausible that the best player available will be a small forward, thus addressing the need to become longer and more athletic on defense. It’s also within the realm of possibility that New York will target a player such as Sexton or center Wendell Carter Jr.

Regardless of what transpires, what’s clear is that the Knicks won’t be picky about what position they add to the roster via the 2018 NBA Draft.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Top 14 after the Lottery

At the very least, the New York Knicks will have a high-level talent to develop in 2018-19 and beyond.

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