2018 NBA Mock Draft: Collin Sexton could break open the New York Knicks’ ceiling
147. . G. Fraport Skyliners. Isaac Bonga. 28. player
I don’t necessarily think Bonga goes this high (spoiler alert: Chandler Hutchison will probably replace him in the next edition), but I remain delighted by the idea of Bonga developing under Nets coach Kenny Atkinson.
Look at what Caris Levert has done in his second year with Atkinson, nearly doubling his assist rate and increasing his 3-point shooting efficiency. That’s what Brooklyn does under Atkinson and GM Sean Marks: diversifies young players’ skills, develops them as shooters and lets them earn playing time. Bonga fits perfectly onto that assembly line.
The German prospect is 6-foot-8 and already has the beginnings of a shooting/passing profile on offense. The built-in advantages that his combination of size and skill yield are obvious from one look. The Nets also own the less favorable of Orlando and Los Angeles’ second-rounders, meaning they could wait on Bonga and take him then.
It’s just hard to imagine a better environment for the 18-year-old to land.