Los Angeles Clippers 2018 NBA Draft profile: Kevin Knox

Kentucky freshman forward Kevin Knox has a ton of potential and is an intriguing option for the Los Angeles Clippers to consider in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Although the Los Angeles Clippers are fairly deep in forwards now, the long-term future of the forward position is bleak.

Of the five forwards that are currently on the Los Angeles Clippers roster, just one is locked down for more than one year — injury-prone Danilo Gallinari. Tobias Harris and Wesley Johnson will both be unrestricted free agents following this season. Montrezl Harrell is a restricted free agent this summer, Sam Dekker next summer.

Thus, with both the 12th and 13th overall selection, forward is likely going to be targeted by the Los Angeles Clippers. If so, Kevin Knox is one of the more intriguing options that may still be available by the time the Clippers’ selections roll around.

The Ringer actually has Knox going to the Los Angeles Clippers. Tankathon has Knox as the 15th-best prospect in this draft class. Knox obviously is in the Clippers’ ballpark.

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Knox is all about promise. While the freshman forward definitely can contribute as a rookie, selecting him would be selecting him ceiling, not the current product. This kind of selection makes perfect sense for the Clippers, who do not need a forward to save the day now, but one that can learn the system for a season before taking over starting duties.

Knox has been compared most to Tobias Harris, which theoretically would make the transition as seamless as possible.

Like Harris, Knox can stretch the floor at either small forward or power forward and fits both positions differently.

As a small forward, the Clippers could utilize his inside scoring when he is matched up against smaller players. When the six-foot-nine forward is matched up against larger power forwards, his jump shot is the obvious weapon.

Knox displays great athleticism that allows him to score from all areas of the court as well as be a good hustle defender. At times he looked very raw in college and the athleticism made up for that. In the NBA, though, it will be harder to get away with those holes.

Knox sometimes lacks physicality and is not as good of a rebounder as he should be for his size. While he inevitably will put on muscle as part of an NBA strength program, he needs to develop on-ball defense and rebounding. These are all things that can come with time and good coaching.

Learning under Tobias Harris may be Knox’ best shot at reaching his full potential in the NBA. If he does, he can eventually turn into a reliable 20-point, 10-rebound per night kind of player. If that development cannot be made, he becomes a bench scorer that can stretch the floor.

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Kevin Knox’ potential is promising and there is no better fit for him in the lottery than the Los Angeles Clippers.