The New York Knicks asked 2018 NBA Draft prospect Wendell Carter Jr. how he’d fit with Kristaps Porzingis. His answer is quite intriguing.
The New York Knicks have made it clear that positional needs will not determine their selections at the 2018 NBA Draft. That doesn’t necessarily mean that New York will ignore the voids on the roster, but Scott Perry made it clear that the franchise is in the talent acquisition phase.
One of the players who exemplifies the Knicks’ willingness to be flexible is former Duke Blue Devils center Wendell Carter Jr.
New York’s interest in Carter has been rumored, but it was confirmed by a meeting at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine. It should come as no surprise, as he’s widely regarded as one of the top 10 prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft.
According to Nick Friedell of ESPN, one of the questions that Carter faced during his interview with the Knicks was a matter of how he’d fit with franchise player Kristaps Porzingis.
Wendell Carter, Jr. says one of the last questions the Knicks asked him in his interview was how he thought he would fit playing alongside Kristaps Porzingis. https://t.co/Ci2ZJyevBj
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 18, 2018
Per Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News, Carter believes that he’d fit well with Porzingis due to their interchangeability.
"“That was kind of how we ended our interview,” Carter said. “If I was to come to New York, how it would work playing alongside him, learning his style of play, fitting in with him in the low post?”"
Carter continued:
"“I think it would work very well,” he said. “We’re both interchangeable players who can play the 4, 5. He’s a great player. I’d learn a lot from him how to be a pro on and off the court. That’s something I’d love.”"
As head coach David Fizdale embraces the positionless nature of the modern NBA, the combination of Carter and Porzingis would certainly help.
As Carter alluded to, both he and Porzingis can switch between the two interior positions. That creates intriguing potential on the defensive end of the floor, as the Knicks would have two bigs who can comfortably switch against the pick and roll.
It would also provide New York with two at least quality rim protectors and a pair of big men who can step out against stretch bigs.
Offensively, Carter and Porzingis are well-rounded contributors whose skill sets could be perfect complements, thus creating an ideal high-low balance.
Porzingis is a well-rounded scorer who can play from the low or high post areas, shoot with near 40 percent efficiency from distance, and take his man off the bounce. Carter played an Al Horford style at Duke, providing at least average contributions across the board.
In terms of his raw skill level, Carter can score from the low block, facilitate from the high post, space the floor with improving range, and crash the offensive glass.
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On paper, Wendell Carter Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis are a perfect match. The New York Knicks are at least interested in exploring that possibility.