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New York Knicks: Top 5 shooting guards in 2018 NBA Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Lonnie Walker IV #4, Anthony Lawrence II #3 and Dejan Vasiljevic #1 of the Miami Hurricanes of the Miami Hurricanes wear a t-shirt to honor the students and administrators that lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida earlier this week during pregame of the game against the Syracuse Orange at The Watsco Center on February 17, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Lonnie Walker IV #4, Anthony Lawrence II #3 and Dejan Vasiljevic #1 of the Miami Hurricanes of the Miami Hurricanes wear a t-shirt to honor the students and administrators that lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida earlier this week during pregame of the game against the Syracuse Orange at The Watsco Center on February 17, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 01: Creighton Bluejays guard Khyri Thomas (2) guards against Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson (1) during the college basketball game between the Creighton Bluejays and the Villanova Wildcats on February 01, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 01: Creighton Bluejays guard Khyri Thomas (2) guards against Villanova Wildcats guard Jalen Brunson (1) during the college basketball game between the Creighton Bluejays and the Villanova Wildcats on February 01, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Age: 22 (5/8/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3.75″, 199 pounds, 6’10.5”
Slash Line: .538/.411/.788
Season Averages: 31.7 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.9 3PM

The New York Knicks have built the foundation for an elite defense with Frank Ntilikina and Kristaps Porzingis. With the potential to defend the paint and the point of attack at a dominant level, the Knicks are a quality two-way wing away from returning to the top 10 on defense.

While he may not have adequate size for a small forward, Thomas can build an elite defensive backcourt if Hardaway continues to work the wings.

Thomas stands at just under 6’4″, but his wingspan flirts with 6’11” and his defensive intensity is a clear strength. Between he and Ntilikina, the Knicks would have two guards whose length and intensity make them positionally interchangeable.

They’re also capable of switching on to forwards for brief spurts and playing both with and without the ball on offense.

Thomas shot at least 39.3 percent from beyond the arc in each of his three collegiate seasons, including a mark of 41.1 percent in 2017-18. A fair upside comparison would be Avery Bradley in the sense that he defends at a high level, shoots the three-ball well, and can attack a closeout.

For the Knicks, adding a Bradley type of wing would mean solidifying the defense with a player who could be the perfect complement to Ntilikina.

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