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

By Maxwell Ogden

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the first half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Kevin Knox #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the first half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 15: Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) shoots the ball during an open public practice during the practice day before the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 15: Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) shoots the ball during an open public practice during the practice day before the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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

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