New York Knicks: 5 options for pick No. 9 in 2018 NBA Draft

1. Mikal Bridges

The No. 1 option that the Knicks should consider in the 2018 NBA Draft is Villanova forward Mikal Bridges. Given the current state of the roster, Bridges is a perfect fit both in the immediate and long-term.

Bridges would immediately become the best small forward on the roster. Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. are both better suited as shooting guards. Michael Beasley is better at power forward. Troy Williams showed flashes once he joined the team after the Houston Rockets waived him. Lance Thomas is the only true small forward on the roster, and Bridges brings everything he does to the table, and more, outside of experience.

Bridges took a major step forward this season and was a big piece of Villanova winning the NCAA championship. He averaged 17.7 points per game, filling it up from all over the court. He was especially deadly from 3-point range, where he knocked down 43.5 percent of his attempts.

His offensive versatility made him virtually unguardable in college. If Jay Wright deployed him at power forward, opponents couldn’t keep up with him. If he played the 2 or 3, he had the size to just shoot over his defender.

The rest of his game is solid as well. He is an adequate playmaker and solid rebounder. Defensively, he gets the job done. He was regarded as a great defensive prospect coming into college and that hasn’t changed.

From a needs standpoint, Bridges fits the bill. He also wouldn’t be a reach at No. 9, so the value matches up as well. Bridges is arguably the best 3-and-D prospect in this year’s draft class.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Doncic still No. 1 in post-lottery edition

Given the emergence of Trey Burke last season, Emmanuel Mudiay‘s presence on the roster and Ntilikina deserving time to develop, the wing could be where the Knicks look in with their first round pick. If Mikal Bridges is sitting there, it will be tough to pass up on him.