2018 EARLY NBA DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR NEW YORK KNICKS

2018 EARLY DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR NEW YORK KNICKS

The 2018 New York Knicks will be a team that continues to build for the future and a huge part of building that future will be through the NBA Draft. So before we start off the 2018 NBA season here's a list of 5 player prospects that through the year Knicks' fans can keep a eye on as possible players the New York Knicks might be drafting in the upcoming 2018 NBA Draft.

                  Kevin Knox

A) Kevin Knox

POS: SF/PF

AGE/STATUS: 18/ FRESHMAN

COLLEGE: COMMIT TO KENTUCKY

SIZE: 6'8/ 7'0 WINSPAN

WEIGHT: 210LBS

STRENGTHS:

-PHYSICAL PROFILE

-FLUID ATHLETE, GREAT AT CUTTING, RUNNING THE BREAK, CATCHING LOBS

-VERSATILE MULTI-POSTION DEFENDER, GOOD FEET AND ACTIVITY

PRO COMPARSION:

OTTO PORTER JR, OR MORE ATHLETIC TAYSHAUN PRINCE

PROSPECTS:

I feel Knox will be heavily looked at by the current New York Knicks front office. Knox would be presumably a great fit with what the Knicks are building. I will give 3 quick reasons why I believe Knox could very well be the Knicks 2018 1^st Round NBA Draft Selection. 1) He fits the Knicks new team focus of “ athleticism, youth, teamwork, and defense”, he is one of the most athletic players in this draft class, has already proven as a team player with 2 gold medals won in the under18 TeamUSA competition, and a as player who can average a Block and a Steal per game. 2) Knox is very similar a prospect to a player that new General Manager Scott Perry had major hands in drafting years ago in former Detriot Pistons Small Forward Tayshaun Prince. Knox possess a lot of the traits and qualities that Prince offered to the great Pistons' teams in the 2000's championship runs. I believe Perry will take a strong look and consideration of Knox to possible be the understudy to Knicks current star SF Carmelo Anthony. 3) Knox could be viewed as the final piece to the Knicks young core. With Kristaps Porzingis to be the Power Forward for years to come, Willy Hernangomez as the Center of the future, Tim Hardaway Jr penciled in for the next 4 years at Shooting Guard, and 2017 Draft Selection Frank Nitlikina to man the Point for the foreseeable future, Knox would be the young piece to fill the small forward position as Carmelo ages or leaves to pursue a Championship elsewhere.

B) Rodions Kurucs

POS: SF

AGE/STATUS: 19/ INTL' 99'

INTERNATIONAL TEAM: FC BARCELONA

SIZE: 6'8

WEIGHT: 220LBS

STRENGHTS:

-VERY GOOD ATHLETE W/ GOOD SIZE

-HIGH BASKETBALL IQ

-GREAT SHOOTER W/ GREAT SHOOTING MECHANICS

-FLAT OUT SCORER, VERY VERSATILE SCORER

PRO COMPARSION:

CHANDLER PARSONS

Rodions Kurucs

PROSPECTS:

I feel Kurucs will be another player the new New York Knicks front office will put considerable scouting into. Rodions Kurucs is the best prospect out of Latvia since Knicks current phenom Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis has a relationship with his fellow countryman and has mentored him in some respects. But as far as Kurucs game goes, he might be a better shooter than Porzingis in the long run, with his excellent mechanics and touch. Kurucs plays the game very similar to NBA Small Forward Chandler Parsons as a versatile wing that can offer a lot to the offensive side. But also like Parsons, Kurucs has been injury prone in his young career. However he is a intriguing prospect that due to his relationship with Porzingis we can expect the Knicks to give him strong consideration.

C) Hamidou Diallo

POS: SG

AGE/STATUS: 19/ FRESHMAN

COLLEGE: KENTUCKY

SIZE: 6'5/ 6'11 WINSPAN

WEIGHT: 200LBS

STRENGHTS:

-SPECIAL ATHLETICISM AND EXPLOSIVENESS

-SUPREME LENGTH, SPEED, AND LEAPING ABILITY FOR SG

-TRUE SHOOTING GUARD

-GREAT COMPETITOR

-DEFENDS WELL, KNACK FOR BLOCKING SHOTS

-REBOUNDS WELL FOR GUARD

PRO COMPARSION:

KOBE BRYANT, GERALD GREEN

Hamidou Diallo

PROSPECTS:

I feel very strongly that once the NCAA season is over many will be talking highly of Hamidou Diallo like say PG De'Aaron Fox last year. He is part of one of John Calipari's best freshman classes, along with SF Kevin Knox, PG Quade Green, and fellow prospect out of Queens NY C Nick Richards. In speaking of Queens New York, Diallo might be the best Basketball prospect out of the borough since PG Mark Jackson in the late 80's. A five-star recruit that due to taking classes early at Kentucky, deliberated on forgoing his freshman season to enter the 2017 NBA draft this year. Diallo would have been a late lottery pick so there's no denying his natural talent. I believe he has Kobe Bryant upside due to his comparable skill set and athleticism at this point in his career. Being from New York City, he can be a great pick for the New York Knicks and bring a different level of play to the Garden.

D) ISSAC BONGA

POS: SF

AGE/STATUS: 17/ INTERNATIONAL 99'

INTERNATIONAL TEAM: FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL(GERMANY)

SIZE: 6'9 / 7'0 WINGSPAN

WEIGHT: 200LBS

STRENGTHS:

-GREAT POINT GUARD SKILLS AND SKILL SET

-HIGH BASKETBALL IQ

-GREAT DEFENSIVE MOTOR, DEFENSIVE ACTIVITY AND POTENTIAL

-GREAT PASSER, SETS HIS OWN PACE

PRO COMPARISION:

LESS ATHLETIC LAMAR ODOM, KYLE ANDERSON

Isaac Bonga

PROSPECTS:

Issac Bonga is an extremely intriguing prospect that is also of international ranks. Bonga plays the game like a true point guard at a Power Forward's size. He thinks the game out very well and plays at his own pace similar to a Kyle Anderson and a Boris Diaw. However Bonga has great point guard skills and handle like another former Queens New York Prospect Lamar Odom or to a lesser extend Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bonga would be able to also man the Small Forward position and develop to a great piece for the future of the New York Knicks if they are to look into Bonga.

E) Jaren Jackson Jr

POS: PF

AGE/STATUS: 17/ FRESHMAN

COLLEGE: MICHIGAN STATE

SIZE: 6'10 / 7'4 WINGSPAN

WEIGHT: 230

STRENGTHS:

-PHYSICAL PROFILE

-VERY VERSATILE DEFENDER, GOOD RIM PROTECTOR, GREAT TIMING

-DEVELOPING OFFENSIVE SKILL SET

-UNTRADITIONAL SHOOTING MECHANICS BUT GOOD OUTSIDE SHOOTER

-SON OF A NBA PLAYER

PRO COMPARISION:

CHRIS BOSH

Jaren Jackson Jr

PROSPECTS:

Jackson Jr, is also a very interesting prospect for the New York Knicks. Jackson is a 5-Star recruit, committed to playing for powerhouse Michigan State this upcoming year. He is the son of former NBA Player Jaren Jackson Sr, whose noted as being a part of the 1999 NBA Championship winning San Antonio Spurs. And a lot like the Star forward on that team, Tim Duncan, Jackson Sr's son has a lot in inside moves to score around the basket. I believe the fact that his father did play in the league and coaches in the G-League will be a huge advantage for Jackson Jr. To Jackson Jr's game, he is a player that can score in a multitude of fashions; back to the basket, mid-range jumper, or just by hitting the glass. Jackson also due to his length and size is very adapt on the defensive end. Jackson uses his great length, good mobile feet, and great timing to be a very effective rim protector. I feel if the Knicks are to draft Jackson Jr, he can quickly become a great piece to help out the future frontline of Porzingis and Hernangomez.

Verdict

This year's New York Knicks will be about building toward the near future. The new general manager Scott Perry will look to add pieces that will further his' and President Steve Mills agenda of a athletic, team-first, defensively strong team. These 5 prospects, I have outlined as possible players that can fit that mold and possibly be added to the Knicks in the upcoming 2018 NBA Draft. As we get closer to draft time, we will continue to monitor these prospects in Kevin Knox, Rodions Kurucs, Hamidou Diallo, Isaac Bonga, and Jaren Jackson Jr. And see their progress along with other prospects that might come into the New York Knicks radar.

Thanks for viewing.

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