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

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 15: Wendell Carter Jr.#34 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles against TK Edogi #13 of the Iona Gaels in the first half during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at PPG Paints Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

Age: 19 (4/16/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 251 pounds, 7’4.5″
Slash Line: .561/.413/.738
Season Averages: 26.9 MPG, 13.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.9 ORPG, 2.0 APG, 2.1 BPG, 0.8 APG, 0.5 3PM

The New York Knicks have three centers under contract, but that could change as soon as July 1. New York also has three players who have essentially realized their potential at the position, as well as a franchise player who can work from both the 4 and the 5 spot.

As the Knicks look around the NBA, it should be known that it’s players like Wendell Carter Jr. who are helping anchor championship-caliber teams.

Offensively, Carter is cut from the cloth of the Draymond Green and Al Horford type of big men of the NBA. He’s more of a post presence and rebounder than the other two, but he has a modern offensive game that’s adaptable to a variety of systems.

For the Knicks, adding a Horford type of big to the rotation would make the game easier for Kristaps Porzingis and enable David Fizdale to run the system when he isn’t on the court.

As for the specifics, Carter is a skilled passer, a competent post scorer, a well-rounded athlete, and a capable shooter with expanding range. He’s also a versatile defender who can switch against the pick and roll, and protect the rim as a shot-blocker.

If New York were to select Carter at No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, it would be acquiring a player who could stabilize the team on both ends of the floor.

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