New York Knicks: 5 options for pick No. 9 in 2018 NBA Draft
The New York Knicks landed the No. 9 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Here are five options they should consider when they are on the clock.
Lady Luck wasn’t on the side of the New York Knicks during the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery. At least, on the bright side, she didn’t treat the Knicks poorly as they did not move during the lottery process.
New York entered the lottery with the No. 9 spot in the 2018 NBA Draft and left the lottery with the No. 9 selection. This was the expected outcome, as the Knicks had an 81.3 percent chance of landing the No. 9 pick. They had only a 6.1 percent chance to move up into the top three.
With the draft lottery now behind us, the Knicks and their new brain trust can get started on the draft process. David Fizdale is the new head coach and already explained which type of player he wants to have on the Knicks.
Fizdale said he wants long and tough players that have an edge. Soft players are not wanted in New York under the new regime.
David Fizdale to @GetUpESPN on the type of player he's looking for w/NYK: "Long and tough. But he's gotta have an edge to him. I don't want soft guys here. I don't want cupcakes. I want guys that have an edge to them, that enjoy defending. That get joy out of locking teams down."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 12, 2018
Luckily for Fizdale, the Knicks have a couple of players that fit that description already on the roster. They will also be able to add two more in the 2018 NBA Draft, as the Knicks also have the No. 37 pick in addition to the ninth overall pick.
The Knicks don’t have a specific need on the roster and are still in talent collection mode. They should be looking to select the best player available when they are on the clock and worry about the fit afterward.
This is a very deep draft class and the Knicks should get a player that can help them right away. Fizdale, Steve Mills and Scott Perry should be happy with the prospects they will get to choose from with the ninth overall pick.