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NBA Draft: Should the Knicks draft Kevin Knox or Mikal Bridges?

By Alex Jordan

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats looks on from the bench in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats looks on from the bench in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Kentucky forward Kevin Knox is projected to be the New York Knicks pick in the NBA draft. However, Mikal Bridges is the best pick for the Knicks.

The NBA draft is Thursday night and the New York Knicks have some options when it comes to who they pick in the draft.

In ESPN’s latest mock draft, the Knicks select Kentucky forward Kevin Knox. On Wednesday, the Knicks met with Texas draft prospect Mohamed Bamba, who is projected as the fifth pick in ESPN’s latest mock draft.

The meeting is an indication that the Knicks are considering trading up in the draft, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley.

The Knicks have the ninth pick in the draft, and trading up would be the only way the Knicks could get Michael Porter Jr., one of the best players in the draft. However, the Knicks should pass on Porter due to him being a health risk.

While Knox is projected to go to the Knicks, Mikal Bridges is the favorite to be picked by the Knicks, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Knox, who averaged 15.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists last year with Kentucky, was compared to Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum by Kentucky coach John Calipari.

Calipari told Berman:

"“I never knew [Tatum] had that kind of toughness in him,’’. “What I saw [with Boston] he never showed in college. Now you have a skilled, long, tough player who’s a future All-Star. Kevin falls into that same mode right now.Teams are going to say two years from now: Why would we have passed on him?”"

Knox believes that he’ll do well in the NBA and with the Knicks.

“I’ll be a really good player [in the NBA],” he told Adam Zagoria of SNY.  “I know Coach [David] Fizdale loves those types of wings, he’s a player’s coach. He said he could use me pretty much everywhere on the court. So that’s kind of my sentiment.”

Knox also thinks that he and Kristaps Porzingis would complement each other very well.

Bridges considers New York to be a second home and thinks he too would be a perfect fit for the Knicks.

“Coach Fizdale likes pace, tempo, kick-out, get in transition, shooting a lot of 3s,”  Bridges told Berman. “And that plays in my game. The thing about him, he wants to defend. That plays into my game. The coaching staff with Fizdale coming from Miami, he knows what it takes to win.”

So who should the Knicks pick: Knox or Bridges?

The answer is Bridges. Knicks GM Scott Perry said recently that adding a “solid rotational player” is important. Bridges fits that description as he is a good shooter and at his best on defense. Knox is a good player but Bridges would be a better fit for the Knicks than Knox.

Next: The Knicks should not shy away from this top prospect

While Knox thinks he aced his workout with the Knicks, the Knicks should pick Bridges in the draft because he is their best option.

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