Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Top 10 2018 NBA Draft targets as of June 1

By Maxwell Ogden

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Wendell Carter, Jr. #34 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on prior to their game against the Syracuse Orange during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Wendell Carter, Jr. #34 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on prior to their game against the Syracuse Orange during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Villanova guard Mikal Bridges (25) guards Texas Tech guard Keenan Evans (12) during an Elite Eight matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 25, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats defeated the Red Raiders 71-59. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Villanova guard Mikal Bridges (25) guards Texas Tech guard Keenan Evans (12) during an Elite Eight matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 25, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Wildcats defeated the Red Raiders 71-59. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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 in three seasons during Mikal Bridges’ tenure. He evolved from a defensive specialist into an elite 3-and-D threat between his freshman and sophomore seasons, and became a true all-around player as a junior.

If the New York Knicks are looking for a player who can solidify the defense, improve the output from distance, and develop into something more long-term, Bridges may be the answer.

Bridges is a three-point marksman, as evidenced by his 104 makes on 43.5 percent shooting in 2017-18. That’s an appealing truth for a Knicks team that ranked No. 29 in three-point field goals made and attempted this past season.

Bridges has also diversified his offensive game to the point of being able to create in isolation, finish with both hands, and set his teammates up as a passer.

Defensively, Bridges would provide New York with a 7’2″ wingspan and a firm commitment to excellence on that end of the floor. Not only is he physically capable of defending at a high level, but he’s actually shown the fire and desire to get after it.

Even if Bridges maxes out as a 3-and-D wing at the next level, he’d fill a significant void for the Knicks and help David Fizdale build towards the future.

Home/Knicks Draft