Guide To New York Knicks 2018 NBA Draft

TrueFan Guide to 2018 New York Knicks NBA Draft

Written By Kyle Crabbe

Follow on Twitter: @KthetruestKnick

For many fans this time of year brings joy to see their basketball team competing deep into the post-season striving for a NBA Championship. But for not so lucky fans the hope shifts to the NBA Draft and that their team can discover the next great NBA player that will in time help contribute to putting their team in the position at this time of year some time in the future to compete for a NBA Championship.

For the New York Knicks franchise the last time they were competing for Championships, was in the 1990's. That Knicks team was centered around Superstar Bigman Patrick Ewing, who was drafted by the Knicks Franchise as their number one overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. Building a great team requires drafting and developing great players and the Knicks are in a great position to add another young prospect to an already intriguing group of young talents.

So in this article I will put on the General Manager's and President of Basketball Operations hat and responsibilities for the infamous New York Knicks Basketball Franchise. I will try to continue on the basis the current Knicks front office has already set forth and abide by their motto and creed for this building team, which is looking to build a team of “Athletic, Defensive-Minded, Team-first” players. This will give Knicks fans a preview of what a great Knicks 2018 NBA Draft might look like.

NY Knicks Draft Overview

Draft Picks

-First Round

9^th Overall Selection

-Second Round

6^th Pick( 36^th Overall Selection )

Strategy #1.

Trade up for Texas University Freshman Center Mohamed Bamba.

TrueFan Take:

The First possible move for the Knicks I see is the opportunity to trade up to get an elite talent. There are a few intriguing talents at the top of this year's draft in Arizona's Center DeAndre Ayton, Duke's Star Forward Marvin Bagley, Missouri Star Forward Freshman Michael Porter Jr and there's International Star Prospect Luka Doncic. For the Knicks I believe the best talent to match with 1) New Head Coach in David Fizdale, 2) Our two Young Cornerstones in Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina and 3) In attempting to create the Best Defense in the NBA once again like the 1990's great Knicks teams, the only player worth trading up for is Mohamed Bamba. Bamba looks the part of a generational Rim Protector and Defensive Anchor of a team's defense. Matching up Bamba with Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina could make the Knicks team a all-time legendary great Defensive Team when the three talents mature together. Here's a look at what a move to secure Harlem New York City Native Mohamed Bamba could look like:

Knicks Trade to the Memphis Grizzlies:

SG Courtney Lee, 2018 9^th Overall Pick, and Cash Considerations

Memphis Grizzlies Trade to Knicks:

2018 4^th Overall Pick

And Then With The 4^th Overall Pick....

The New York Knicks Select

Mohamed Bamba Texas Highlights

Select Mohamed Bamba

Position: Center

College: Texas

HT: 7-0”(Wingspan 7-9”)

WT: 220 Lbs

TrueFan Potential: Franchise Center/ DPOY

TrueFan Pro Player Comparisons: Marcus Camby, Rasheed Wallace, Anthony Davis, Kristaps Porzingis, Serge Ibaka

Strategy #2.

Draft Best Prospect Available at the 9^th Overall Pick.

TrueFan Take:

At the 9^th pick in the NBA Draft I believe the Knicks have a great opportunity at picking a significant piece for building a championship team. With the NY Knicks current members on their roster boasting a healthy amount of potential options at the guard positions and with great talent already on board at the frontcourt positions, the greatest priority for the Knicks would be addressing the wing position or to be more specific the Small Forward Position. At the 9^th pick in the 2018 Draft there will be for sure several great options for the Knicks. Here are my choices.

Option #1.

Draft Villanova's Mikal Bridges.

TrueFan Take:

I view Mikal Bridges as the best two-way perimeter prospect in the entire 2018 NBA Draft. With that being said there's also a strong possibility that Bridges might not be on the board when the Knicks come to make a selection at the 9^th Pick. I think there's strong chances that the Chicago Bulls or the Cleveland Cavaliers might take Bridges before the Knicks have a shot at him. But If Bridges is available for the Knicks at the 9^th pick, their should be no debate, Bridges is the perfect player for the current Knicks team and regime. I would view adding Bridges as a homerun pick for 3 Main Reasons, 1) As a prospect Bridges fits very well with the current Knicks core. As a great spot up shooter, Bridges can spread the court well for the Knicks guards like Emmanuel Mudiay, Trey Burke, Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr and likewise for the Knicks more interior players like Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter. 2) As the best defender in the entire Draft, Bridges fits the Knicks current movement toward being an elite defensive team. In addition to having a defensive-first new head coach in David Fizdale, playing alongside Defensive-Phenemon Guard Frank Ntilikina could make Bridges and Ntilikina a Jordan/Pippen like elite defensive perimeter pair for years to come. Add along to that with Knicks Franchise Player Kristaps Porzingis being the League's primer Shot Blocker, the Knicks could have the pieces in place for a top ranked defensive with the selection of Bridges. 3) Bridges comes off of winning a championship in his last year in college. Bridges brings a winning mentality that all teams trying to build a team to compete to contend need. Bridges has all the intangibles and experience to become a player that will be part of a very successful team wherever he plays.

And Then With The 9^th Overall Pick....

The New York Knicks Select

Mikal Bridges Villanova Highlights

Select Mikal Bridges

Position: SF/SG

College: Villanova

HT: 6-8”(Wingspan 7-1”)

WT: 210 Lbs

TrueFan Potential: Starter/ All-Defensive Teams

TrueFan Pro Player Comparisons: Wesley Person, Paul George, Otto Porter Jr, Scottie Pippen

Option #2.

Draft Kentucky's Kevin Knox.

TrueFan Take:

If one of the teams picking before the New York Knicks are to grab Villanova's Mikal Bridges before the Knicks pick, then the excellent second choice would be, for me, Kentucky's Kevin Knox. Knox in my opinion has a abundance of potential. Coming from a program at the University of Kentucky under former New Jersey Nets Head Coach John Calipari, where Knox had to share the spotlight with other highly touted freshman's and potential NBA Lottery Draft picks has some what tempered what we have seen in Kevin Knox and many others that have came from the Kentucky Program( examples such as Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Rajan Rondo, Devin Booker, John Wall). Knox came out of High School as a potential top 10 NBA Draft Prospect, I don't feel that should change due to his situation playing with the UK Wild Cats this past NCAA season. The point that the Knicks are pushing for young players with length, athleticism and a player that brings a team-first mentality; Knox checks off all those qualities in a young basketball prospect. Knox was already willing to sacrifice his game for Kentucky at 18 years old, so we can believe he's a player willing to adjust him game for not only his success but for the overall team's success( Championships). So I firmly believe even if the Knicks don't select Kevin Knox, the team that does, will get a steal in this year's draft. So if I was the Knicks GM, and Mikal Bridges was off the board, I would momentarily consider Texas Tech Zhaire Smith and Michigan's Miles Bridges, but ultimately they don't match our stated needs as well as Knox, therefore Knox would be my pick hands down.

And Then With The 9^th Overall Pick....

The New York Knicks Select

Kevin Knox Kentucky Highlights

Select Kevin Knox

Positon: SF

College: Kentucky

HT: 6-9”( Wingspan 7-0”)

WT: 215 Lbs

TrueFan Potential: Starter/ Possible All-Star

TrueFan Pro Player Comparisons: Rudy Gay, Antonie Walker, Rashard Lewis, Tayshaun Prince, Hedo Turkoglu

Strategy #3.

Find Trade partner for Shooting Guard Courtney Lee.

TrueFan Take:

In my view the Knicks have a log jam in the backcourt and the player that holds the most trade value the makes sense to move would be Shooting Guard Courtney Lee. Coming off his career best season under Coach Jeff Hornacek, Lee should be able to net at worst at intriguing 2^nd Round Pick. I would value Courtney Lee 's Trade value as a late 1^st Round Pick, ( Selections Between 21-25) but which team would have interest in Lee would be the most determining factor on the return. I also believe trading Lee would open up minutes for young Shooting Guard Damyean Dotson and would give the Knicks greater cap flexibility. The first attempt I would make at moving Lee would be to package Lee and the 9^th overall pick to move up in the draft to pick Texas Mo Bamba or Duke's Marvin Bagley. Then I would look at other options for a late 1^st Round Pick or a early 2^nd Round Pick for Courtney Lee. Here's a look at what those potential deals might look like and what players I would draft with those picks.

Option #1.

Trade with Philadelphia 76ers.

Knicks Trade to the Philadelphia 76ers:

SG Courtney Lee,

PF Isiah Hicks,

and Cash Considerations

Philadelphia 76ers Trade to Knicks:

2018 1^st Round 26^th Pick,

2018 2^nd Round 39^th Pick

And Then With The 26^th Overall Pick....

The New York Knicks Select

Isaac Bonga Frankfurt Highlights

Select Isaac Bonga

Positon: SF

College: International Germany

HT: 6-9”( Wingspan 7-0”)

Age:19

WT: 180 Lbs

TrueFan Potential: Starter

TrueFan Pro Player Comparisons: Andre Iguodala, Kyle Anderson, Lamar Odom, Nicholas Batum

TrueFan Quick Take:

Isaac Bonga is a great young international prospect playing in the German Professional League. Bonga has a intriguing skill set as he is something like Magic Johnson/ Lamar Odom / Shaun Livingston as a 6'9 legitimate playmaker with Point Guard Skills. Bonga is still 19 and would be a great draft-and-stash prospect like the Philadelphia 76ers did in 2014 when they drafted Dario Saric. If I was Knicks GM, I would make a play to draft Bonga at some point in the draft just to have acquired a very talented piece for two years down the road.

And Then With The 39^th Overall Pick....

The New York Knicks Select

Justin Jackson Maryland Highlights

Select Justin Jackson

Positon: SF

College: Maryland

HT: 6-8”( Wingspan 7-3”)

Age:19

WT: 225 Lbs

TrueFan Potential: Role Player/ Potential Starter

TrueFan Pro Player Comparisons: Robert Horry, Trevor Ariza, Draymond Green, Paul Millsap

TrueFan Quick Take:

Justin Jackson from the University of Maryland, I found to be a potential gem in the second round. I've identified Jackson from prior to this season as a player that could potential help the Knicks team. Jackson sports impressive size, standing at 6'8” with an incredible almost 7'4” Wingspan. Jackson has huge hands that rival San Antonio Superstar SF Kwahi Leonard and like Leonard was in college, Jackson is also an great rebounder. Jackson could be a potential supreme fit for the Knicks. Jackson could make for in my opinion a “Death Lineup” of sorts allowing Kristaps Porzingis to play the 5 and Jackson playing the stretch 4. Jackson was viewed by most as a possible late first round pick coming into the NCAA season, but after Jackson suffered a shoulder injury that costed him his season, many have forgot about this kid with great NBA potential. If I was the Knicks GM, I would be looking strongly into acquring Justin Jackson at some point in the second round.

Option #2.

Trade with Dallas Mavericks.

Knicks Trade to the Dallas Mavericks:

SG Courtney Lee,

and Cash Considerations

Dallas Mavericks Trade to Knicks:

2018 2^nd Round 33^rd Overall Pick

And Then With The 33^rd Overall Pick....

The New York Knicks Select

Isaac Bonga U19 Highlights

Select Isaac Bonga

Positon: SF

College: International Germany

HT: 6-9”( Wingspan 7-0”)

Age:19

WT: 180 Lbs

TrueFan Potential: Starter

TrueFan Pro Player Comparisons: Andre Iguodala, Kyle Anderson, Lamar Odom, Nicholas Batum

TrueFan Quick Take:

Isaac Bonga is a great young international prospect playing in the German League. Bonga has a intriguing skill set as he is something like Magic Johnson/ Lamar Odom / Shaun Livingston as a 6'9 legitimate playmaker with Point Guard Skills. Bonga is still 19 and would be a great draft-and-stash prospect like the Philadelphia 76ers did in 2014 when they drafted Dario Saric. If I was Knicks GM, I would make a play to draft Bonga at some point in the draft just to have acquired a very talented piece for two years down the road.

Strategy #4.

Draft Best Prospect Available at 36^th Overall, Second Round.

TrueFan Take:

At the 36^th pick in the NBA Draft I believe the Knicks have an incredible opportunity at picking a great young player that can develop and possible contribute to the Knicks winning games in the near future. I believe there's a great amount of talent in this year's draft in the early second round. Here I believe the Knicks can acquire another young piece that can develop with the Knicks over the next few years. Here's who I would select.

And Then With The 36^th Overall Pick....

The New York Knicks Select

Moritz Wagner Michigan Highlights

Select Moritz Wagner

Positon: PF/C

College: Michigan ( Born and From Germany)

HT: 6-11”( Wingspan 7-0”)

Age:21

WT: 245 Lbs

TrueFan Potential: Strong Role Player, Fringe Starter

TrueFan Pro Player Comparisons: Frank Kamisky, Tom Gugliotta, Kevin Love, Ersan Ilyasova

TrueFan Quick Take:

Moe Wagner is a very interesting prospect. Wagner like Mikal Bridges helped his team to great success this past season in college baketball. I would target Wagner because he's a great fit in the modern NBA. Wagner could develop to be a great piece of the bench as he has a great offensive game and scoring touch. Wagner also brings a toughness to the game and plays a brand of basketball in which he hustles and plays very hard; which are a couple qualities that would make him endeared in New York City.

TrueFan Overall Take

I believe the Knicks are in great hands for the first time in 30 years with General Manager Scott Perry, President Steve Mills, and the great new addition to the Knicks Leadership in Head Coach David Fizdale. This draft will be huge in determining how successful this trio will be. This was how I would approach tackling the 2018 NBA Draft, now we as fans can celebrate which young players the New York Knicks do draft and bring the New York City.

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