The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: The Draft Lottery is Set

By Kohl Rast

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 17
Next

. SG/SF. Mikal Bridges. 9. 27.

SEAN: Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks is one of the best realistic fits between prospect and franchise. The New York Knicks would welcome Bridges’ defensive versatility and all-around polished game. Bridges would not have too much pressure early on to carry a significant offensive load with Kristaps Porzingis in town.

This would allow Bridges to ease into his role and become more comfortable and confident with his game. Bridges and Porzingis would be a great fit next to each other and could play in lineups together at the SF-PF or the PF-C together. David Fizdale recently mentioned how excited he is to experiment with different lineups as the new head coach in New York.

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats watches his three point shot during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 23: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats watches his three point shot during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at TD Garden on March 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Bridges allows him even more creativity and a player who looks to be one of the safest picks in this class. Fizdale, a coach known for his defense, would have a lot of fun using the length of Frank Ntilikina, Bridges, and Porzingis to bother opposing offenses for years to come. Add in Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Lance Thomas who all are solid or good defenders and the Knicks could become a really good defensive team.

If Bridges can come in and take some of the pressure off of Porzingis when it comes to scoring the basketball, the Knicks could take a huge step forward next year in the Eastern Conference. With the Fizdale hiring and a chance to nab a top prospect in the draft, the Knicks are finally beginning to trend in the right direction.

Next: #10 - #12