2018 NBA Mock Draft: Enter the madness
Kevin Knox. 20. player. 86. . F. Kentucky
Knox was the big star of Kentucky’s 78-73 victory over Davidson on Thursday.
Minnesota is in desperate need of wings who can compete like Knox did in the first round, scoring 25 points in one of his best performances of the season. The Jimmy Butler injury decimated the Timberwolves’ rotation, especially after Minnesota sacrificed depth in recent seasons to add star talent.
They badly need a contributor in this year’s draft, one who can grow with Justin Patton, their first-round selection from last season. Knox looks a step or two away as a ball-handler and switching defender, but he has enticing skills to build from popping up already. The freshman is an isolation stopper, using his length and foot speed to get in the way of every scorer he matches up against.
His deep shot looks sustainable as well, though he went 0-3 on Thursday. If the Wolves could land a 3-and-D player with massive upside at No. 20, Tom Thibodeau would be doing carthweels.
It’s unlikely Knox falls this far if his strong March continues.