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New York Knicks: 2018 NBA Draft prospects worth trading up for

By Maxwell Ogden

OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on prior to their game against the Syracuse Orange during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - MARCH 23: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on prior to their game against the Syracuse Orange during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 23: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats grabs a offensive rebound over the Mississippi State Bulldogs defenders during the first half at Rupp Arena on January 23, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 23: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats grabs a offensive rebound over the Mississippi State Bulldogs defenders during the first half at Rupp Arena on January 23, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Ultimate Upside Comparison: Lamar Odom
Safe Upside Comparison: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Projection: Early Second Round
Age: 19 (4/3/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9″, 214 pounds, 7’1″
Slash Line: .426/.000/.632
Season Averages: 5.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.3 ORPG, 1.0 APG, 0.8 BPG

There’s a realistic possibility that Jarred Vanderbilt will be available for the New York Knicks to select at No. 36 overall. One could subsequently view the opportunity to draft him further down the board as reason to cross fingers and hope he falls.

Vanderbilt is a player who would be perfect for a positionless system, however, which makes him the dream target if Courtney Lee and the No. 36 pick is enough to trade up into the 20s.

Vanderbilt is a 6’8″ hybrid forward with a 7’1″ wingspan and a strong enough handle to run the offense in transition. He can hit the open man with accurate passes and dominate the boards with both tenacity and a high basketball IQ.

His rebounding ability has been compared to that of Dennis Rodman, who won seven rebounding titles during his legendary NBA career.

Defensively, Vanderbilt has the athleticism to defend every position from 1 to 4, and the frame to fill out and be able to play as a small-ball 5. That would make him a perfect fit alongside Kristaps Porzingis, who needs an athletic complement.

Vanderbilt has an extensive history of somewhat minor injuries, but if the Knicks determine he has a clean medical bill, he’d be worth the pick.

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