Projection: Late Lottery
Age: 20 (3/21/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6.75″, 220 pounds, 6’9.5″
Slash Line: .463/.369/.883
Season Averages: 31.2 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.3 ORPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.0 3PM
I’m not entirely sold on the idea that a 6’7″ player with a sub-6’10” wingspan will be playing down low in the NBA. Miles Bridges overcomes his lack of length with physicality, but it would be a significant risk for the New York Knicks to take.
Thankfully, the Knicks have arguably the best help-side defender and rim protector in the NBA: 7’3″ anomaly Kristaps Porzingis.
Bridges’ wingspan is a concern, but he’s the type of player who gets by on skill, explosiveness, and tenacity. Defensively, he has no problem with getting in a player’s jersey and making things uncomfortable for bigger scorers.
Bridges also does a solid job of switching against the pick and roll, which is a strength the Knicks could easily find a place for with Porzingis protecting the rim.
Offensively, Bridges has made tremendous progress as far as creating in isolation is concerned. He’s a threat from beyond the arc and outstanding at working the baseline without the ball, but it’s his ability to pull up and convert from all over the floor that helps him most.
Bridges can space the floor, attack the basket, go to the post, or create against a set defense. He would be a strong fit for this team