New York Knicks: Top 5 small forwards in 2018 NBA Draft

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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Melvin Frazier Jr. poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6″, 198 pounds, 7’1.75″
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

Dzanan Musa has a case for being in the top five, but it’s important to note that this list is based in large part on how the prospects fit the New York Knicks. While Musa would certainly help on offense, he’s essentially a carbon copy of current Knicks wing Tim Hardaway Jr.

Knowing that to be true, the No. 5 spot belongs to Tulane Green Wave standout and potential lockdown defender Melvin Frazier.

Frazier has elite physical tools, with a massive and near 7’2″ wingspan, and explosive end-to-end speed. His time of 3.08 seconds in the three quarter sprint was identical to the mark posted by Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook.

Considering Frazier is a 6’6″ wing with a 40.5″ vertical, it’s easy to see why scouts and general managers are so high on the Tulane product.

Offensively, Frazier has improving range on his jump shot and above-average court vision for the position. Defensively, he’s proven to be committed to the cause of locking opponents up with the necessary measure of energy and intensity.

With a trio of Frank Ntilikina, Frazier, and Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks’ starting lineup would have the necessary personnel to play lockdown defense.

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