2018 NBA Mock Draft: Who’s moving at the top?

The buzz surrounding a Young-Knicks partnership is growing louder. Many reference his excellent fit next to Frank Ntilikina, with ESPN’s Mike Schmitz laying out the case for Young playing next to another ball-handler on Tuesday’s mock draft special. In addition, he will attend a private workout with New York on Friday.

Young told ESPN on May 19, “It’s not about being one, two, three or 30. You see a lot of guys who are in the second round, who go second round in certain years, and make big impacts on teams. It’s all about the fit for me — whether that’s one, whatever that is, I’m going to be happy and I’m going to be ready to make an impact. And that’s what [teams] are going to get.”

Referencing the side of the ball on which he struggled so often at Oklahoma, Young said, “I’m excited about having the opportunity to show people that I can play defense. I’m actually super excited to show that from day one.”

With a minuscule weight measurement and short wingspan at the combine, it’s tough to imagine Young being an impact defender. However, he could grow into a positive contributor by adding muscle and putting in the work like JJ Redick before him, another diminutive scorer who became a positive on defense over time.

Regardless, playing alongside Ntilikina and Kristaps Porzingis would make Young look better than Brady Manek ever did.