New York Knicks: 2019 NBA Mock Draft, Sweet 16 edition

Age: 20
Height, Weight: 6-foot-10, 240 pounds
Slash Line: .607/.300/.779
Season Averages: 13.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.9 BPG, 0.1 3PM

Bruno Fernando can land as high as the lottery’s end and as low as this range, the 15-20 area. He joins a pack of middle-of-the-round big men, but might be the most talented of those who remain.

At 6-foot-10, Fernando is not overbearing with size but has the body to work the paint and battle for rebounds. He won’t become an elite offensive player, but the athleticism and some ability to block shots provide him upside as a backup center — maybe a starter down the road.

Nerlens Noel has filled in adequately for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Steven Adams‘ backup. His 5.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks are enough in 14 minutes per game, but his player option for 2019-20 is just $1.9 million. Will he seek more in free agency?

If so, the Thunder can seek someone younger, cheaper and more controllable. That’s where not just Fernando, but other center prospects factor. Naz Reid, Jaxson Hayes and Charles Bassey are all still on the board.

Maybe if Fernando free-falls into the second round, the New York Knicks would make sense, but that probably won’t become the case, barring something catastrophic in the draft process.