The Sixer Sense
Fansided

2018 NBA Mock Draft 8.0

By Christopher Kline

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Marvin Bagley poses for a portrait before 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Marvin Bagley poses for a portrait before 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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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) /

SG. Villanova. Mikal Bridges. 9. player. 27.

The Knicks are short on wing depth, making Bridges the preferred option at this point. He fills a valuable 3-and-D archetype in the modern NBA.

While not much of a shot creator, Bridges has one of the highest defensive ceilings in the draft. He’s an absolute lockdown defender when engaged, using his length to bother ball handlers and choke off passing lanes. He should defend at least three positions at his physical peak.

Bridges doesn’t have the star power that some of his lottery counterparts posses, but he’s a high-end role player who should contribute from day one. He’s also an easy fit next to Kristaps Porzingis.