The New York Knicks are mere weeks away from the 2018 NBA Draft. What might the Knicks do at the most monumental event of the offseason?
The New York Knicks have built a roster that possesses an intriguing measure of talent and the raw potential to make noise within the next two seasons. It will be a process that likely takes more time, but the Knicks have a chance to make a splash on June 21.
Thankfully, the Knicks have a long list of options to consider with the No. 9 and No. 37 overall selections in the 2018 NBA Draft.
New York has a solid foundation with All-Star power forward Kristaps Porzingis, explosive scoring threat Tim Hardaway Jr., and defensive ace Frank Ntilikina. It also has a cast of players who could still realize their potential, including Trey Burke, Damyean Dotson, and Emmanuel Mudiay.
There are voids throughout the rotation, however, including question marks surrounding every player on the roster—no matter their status.
Knowing this to be true, general manager Scott Perry has adopted the mentality that the Knicks must select the best player available. It’s an approach that not all will agree with, but Perry believes that New York needs to focus on acquiring talent and stop pretending it’s otherwise ready to contend.
The question is: What would the 2018 NBA Draft look like for the New York Knicks under both ambitious and realistic pretenses?
Age: 19 (9/19/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’1.75″, 178 pounds, 6’3″
Slash Line: .422/.360/.861
Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 27.4 PPG, 8.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 3.7 3PM
The New York Knicks need a wing who can shoot and defend, but that isn’t necessarily the top priority. That may sound counterintuitive, but let’s ask ourselves a question: If the Knicks simply add a two-way wing, will that make the Knicks a future contender?
The answer could be yes, but I’m inclined to believe that the New York Knicks would benefit most from adding talent—something it only debatably has.
Trae Young may be a polarizing prospect, but there’s a reason the Knicks continue to target him. Most are focused on the fact that Young is arguably the best off-the-dribble shooter in this draft class, as well as a player who could be utilized in an off-ball role.
What shouldn’t be overlooked, however, is that he’s also the best facilitator in this draft class—a word that differs significantly from, “Distributor.”
Young has advanced court vision and an uncanny ability to make passes at difficult angles. Most importantly: He thinks the game at a unique level, thus enabling him to run the offense both with and without the ball in his hands.
With Young at point guard, Frank Ntilikina aiming to legitimize his jump shot, and Kristaps Porzingis at the 4, the Knicks could put a unique spin on the Warriors’ system.
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
If you’re confusing realistic with disappointing, then you’re in the wrong. The New York Knicks would be blessed to select Mikal Bridges at No. 9 overall, as he fits what the franchise needs on all four levels: Offense, defense, culture, and long-term potential.
Thus, while writers and analysts may have differing opinions about Bridges, he remains the ideal selection for the Knicks at No. 9.
New York has two primary weaknesses on the court: Three-point shooting and perimeter defense. Those are the two areas in which Bridges specializes, as he’s a lights-out shooter who also utilizes his 7’2″ wingspan, instincts, and footwork to defend multiple positions.
Knicks fans likely want more than a 3-and-D wing, but Bridges’ ability to provide potentially elite contributions in both regards shouldn’t be overlooked.
Furthermore, Bridges is the type of player who can change the culture as a player who leads by example. He’d reinforce the desire to make defense the top priority, as well as bring a strong work ethic to a locker room that will learn to trust his leadership.
Bridges may not be the flashy pick, but he has a combination of size, length, shooting ability, and intangibles that one rarely finds in the NBA Draft.
Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 200 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .556/.385/.712
Season Averages: 34.4 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 1.2 3PM
This, like the selection of Trae Young, is ambitious from the perspective of availability. Tulane Green Wave swingman Melvin Frazier is likely to come off the board in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft, if not the 31-to-35 range of Round 2.
In the spirit of being ambitious and optimistic, however, the Knicks select a player who has legitimately elite 3-and-D potential: Melvin Frazier.
Standing at 6’6″ with a near 7’2″ wingspan and high-level athleticism, Frazier has the desired length for the position. He also has an unquestioned measure of commitment to executing at a high level on the defensive end of the floor
With Young leading the offense, it’s a player like Frazier who could be the defensive-minded wing who brings the Knicks together.
Offensively, Frazier has made significant strides as a shooter—see: A 12.1 percent improvement from beyond the arc between 2016-17 and 2017-18. He’s also a a capable passer who can help lead the offense on the fast break.
The odds of Frazier sliding to No. 37 overall are admittedly slim, but optimism states that he could be the two-way wing whom New York needs to find.
Age: 19 (4/3/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’8″, 214 pounds, 7’1″
Slash Line: .426/.000/.632
Season Averages: 17.0 MPG, 5.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.4 SPG
The New York Knicks should give legitimate consideration to selecting Jarred Vanderbilt in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. That’s a bold claim, but Vanderbilt is a former five-star recruit who has the raw potential to be a star at the next level.
An injury-plagued freshman season will likely push Vanderbilt down to No. 37 overall, however, which makes this a dream selection for the Knicks.
Vanderbilt has the size, length, and athleticism to play both the 3 and the 4 on a consistent basis. He’s also one of the best rebounders in this class, with the basketball IQ to predict angles and an explosive second jump that enables him to make the difficult plays along the interior.
Vanderbilt is also a versatile defender who can match up against all three frontcourt positions with his ability to either get physical or anticipate plays.
Offensively, Vanderbilt has a solid handle and exceptional court vision for a player his size. His jump shot is faulty, but as a hybrid forward who can handle the ball, facilitate, and defend multiple positions, he could easily justify the Lamar Odom comparisons—in an era that fits.
For the Knicks, adding a player like Vanderbilt to a frontline that already includes Kristaps Porzingis would mean adapting to the standards of the modern NBA.
Must Read: Top 10 2018 NBA Draft targets as of June 1
The question is: Who will the New York Knicks actually select at the 2018 NBA Draft?