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2018 NBA Mock Draft: Way too early edition

By Chris Stone

Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge (left) speaks to fans during the first half of a game between the Providence Friars and the Marquette Golden Eagles at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Catholic forward Kevin Knox (23) drives past Montverde Academy’s Jake Betlow (12) during the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest at Berkeley Preparatory School. Montverde Academy defeated Tampa Catholic 94-59. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Catholic forward Kevin Knox (23) drives past Montverde Academy’s Jake Betlow (12) during the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest at Berkeley Preparatory School. Montverde Academy defeated Tampa Catholic 94-59. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports /
18

Kevin Knox

SF/PF, Kentucky

Back-to-back combo forwards from Kentucky come off the board here. Kevin Knox is a 6-foot-9 5-star recruit who was one of the school’s final commitments.

Knox combines a big body with a bit of outside shooting and the ability to attack close outs in a straight line. He’s athletic enough to throw down in traffic and won’t have much problem delivering some highlights plays for the Wildcats. Defensively, Knox has the size and athleticism to be a versatile defender if he’s willing to stay engaged on the floor. With a near 7-foot wingspan, he should be swiping passes and blocking shots, but he’s not there yet.

The key for Knox will be figuring out what he ultimately is capable of being at the NBA level. Right now, he wants to be a wing, closer to a shooting guard than a power forward, and that doesn’t necessarily fit his skill set or his build. If he’s willing to settle in as the type of versatile combo forward that every team in the NBA needs and exert the requisite effort, he can be a very good player at the next level. The best news is that Knox is one of the youngest players in the 2018 class, so he’s got some time to figure it out before he’s a finished product.