IT’S A PICK 6 AT 9
With the Knicks in desperate need of hitting on their 2018 first-round pick, their decision with the the No. 9 spot in Thursday’s draft will be crucial.
KEVIN KNOX Forward | Age: 18 | 6-9 | Kentucky
The upside: He fills the Knicks’ glaring hole at the wing position and, as one of the youngest players in the draft, has room to grow for a franchise settling in for a long rebuild. The downside: He’s very raw and unproven, so it’s a gamble that the Knicks would lose if Knox never develops the athleticism, IQ and defensive intensity that was missing from his game in college.
MIKAL BRIDGES Forward | Age: 21 | 6-7 | Villanova
The upside: Brings championship-pedigree as a two-time NCAA winner at ’Nova, and he’s the safe pick because you know what you’re going to get – a defensive-minded wing who can shoot 3-pointers. The downside: Bridges may very well be the oldest player drafted in the lottery so his ceiling is lower.
TRAE YOUNG Guard | Age: 19 | 6-2 | Oklahoma
The upside: The potential upside is huge. Steph Curry huge. He is the only player to ever lead the NCAA in points and assists, which is why many believe he won’t be around when the Knicks pick.
The downside: Whereas sometimes Young’s been compared to Curry, he’s also been called the next Jimmer Fredette because of his small stature and lazy defense. In other words, an NBA bust.
MICHAEL PORTER JR. Forward | Age: 19 | 6-11 | Missouri
The upside: Only a year ago Porter was labeled the No. 1 prospect of this class because of his combination of length and skills on offense. He was Kevin Durant-lite.
The downside: Porter missed almost all of his freshman season because of a back injury that required surgery. On Wednesday, Porter didn’t rule out possibility of sitting out the entirety of next season to fully recover.
WENDELL CARTER JR. Forward | Age: 19 | 6-10 | Duke
The upside: A prototype of today’s NBA big man who can guard multiple positions, shoot 3-pointers and fit well in the frontcourt with Kristaps Porzingis. His favorable comparison is Al Horford.
The downside: Took a backseat to Marvin Bagley Jr. at Duke last season and he’s not a great athlete – meaning Carter could be exposed defensively in the NBA against smaller lineups. He may not be able to keep up on the perimeter.
COLLIN SEXTON Guard | Age: 19 | 6-3 | Alabama
The upside: A speedy lead guard who fits the mold of coach David Fizdale’s preferred style – gritty, aggressive, defense-oriented, fearless.
The downside: He’s a streaky shooter and a below-average passer, which doesn’t translate well in today’s NBA. His ceiling comparison is Victor Oladipo but he’s more likely to turn out to be something more like Reggie Jackson.