The New York Knicks are looking to make a splash this summer now that they've added head coach David Fizdale to the mix and have the number nine overall pick in Thursday night's 2018 NBA Draft. With Kristaps Porzingis potentially returning for the 2019 calendar year, the Knicks will give some of their younger players opportunities to develop on the fly. But which one one of their younger players will be selected ninth tomorrow night?
According to Ian Begley of ESPN, the Knicks met with Texas center Mohamed Bamba, who is expected to be drafted in the top five. Following the meeting, it became clear that New York is considering trying up from their number nine overall pick and into the top five in order to be able to select Bamba.
Members of the Knicks organization met in-person with Texas’ Mohamed Bamba in New York today, team sources told ESPN. The meeting is an indication that the Knicks are considering trading up from the No. 9 pick. Bamba is projected as the fifth pick in ESPN's latest mock draft.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 20, 2018
In 30 games for the Longhorns, Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game on 54.1 percent shooting from the field. He was largely expected to be a top 10 pick, but his workouts and interviews over the last couple of weeks increased his draft stock dramatically, and it now appears it'll be shocking if he drops out of the top five.
Dave Fizdale said he doesn't want any cupcakes on his team shortly after agreeing to become the team's new head coach, so a player like Bamba would certainly fit Fizdale's requirements.
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
The NBA Draft will be on Thursday night at 7PM EST on ESPN.
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