Knicks Rumors: David Fizdale met with Mohamed Bamba
The New York Knicks recently met with 2018 NBA Draft prospect Mohamed Bamba. It would likely require trading up to select him.
The New York Knicks have less than 24 hours to make a final decision about their plans at the 2018 NBA Draft. It’s a stressful truth when one considers that the Knicks have a dire need to complement Kristaps Porzingis with another star.
As the Knicks weigh their options, it appears as though one of the most highly regarded prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft has surfaced on the radar.
New York has made it clear that it isn’t limiting its scope to the prospects who are expected to be available at No. 9 overall. It’s scouted the likes of Luka Doncic and Michael Porter Jr., who could both be selected in the top five.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the latest prospect to surface on the Knicks’ radar is Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba.
Members of the Knicks organization met in-person with Texas’ Mohamed Bamba in New York today, team sources told ESPN. The meeting is an indication that the Knicks are considering trading up from the No. 9 pick. Bamba is projected as the fifth pick in ESPN's latest mock draft.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 20, 2018
Per Marc Berman of The New York Post, it was recently hired head coach David Fizdale who met with Bamba.
Source confirms Knicks met with Bamba today. David Fizdale was at hotel where players were staying today and met the Harlem native. Memphis shopping 4th pick fervently.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) June 20, 2018
Bamba is certainly an ideal target, but it’s worth noting that he’s projected by most to come off the board within the first seven picks.
As for why New York is interested, there would be no 4-5 combination that could even begin to compare to Bamba and Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis is a 7’3” sharpshooter who can pull up from anywhere on the court and ranked No. 3 in the NBA in points via post ups per game in 2017-18.
Porzingis is also an elite rim protector who ranked No. 1 in the NBA in both blocks and opponent field goal percentage at the rim at the time of his injury in 2017-18.
Bamba, meanwhile, has a record-setting wingspan, a modern offensive game, and elite defensive potential.
Bamba ranked No. 5 in the country in block percentage during the 2017-18 college basketball season. He was also No. 15 in defensive rebound percentage and buried 14 three-point field goals in 30 games during his riveting freshman season.
Together, Bamba and Porzingis would provide the Knicks with physical anomalies who can score like guards and defend at an elite level.
Must Read: 2018 NBA Draft prospects worth trading up for
The question is: Will the New York Knicks trade up in order to select Mohamed Bamba at the 2018 NBA Draft?