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

5 of 6

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Mikal Bridges 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: 6’7″, 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

In the modern NBA, 3-and-D wings have been elevated from specialists to essential personnel. The ability to space the floor is a critical strength in this three-heavy era, which makes defending the three-ball of equal, if not greater, importance.

For perspective: Nine of the top 11 teams in opponent three-point field goal percentage made the playoffs during the 2017-18 season.

Knowing this to be true, it should come as no surprise that the New York Knicks are high on Mikal Bridges. Bridges is the prototypical 3-and-D wing, boasting a rare combination of length, athleticism, three-point shooting ability, and defensive intensity.

Knowing this to be true, the Knicks should give serious consideration to rounding out its core with a third high-level defender and a much-needed sharpshooter.

Some question if Bridges has a star-caliber ceiling, but he’s an elite shooter with All-Defense potential. He compares favorably to Houston Rockets forward and former Knicks draft pick Trevor Ariza, as well as Washington Wizards glue guy Otto Porter Jr.

Bridges may be the best two-way player in the 2018 NBA Draft, which is a clear reason for a defensively deprived Knicks team to consider drafting him.

Home/Knicks Draft