Nathan Knight
One weakness for the Washington Wizards currently is a lack of athleticism in the frontcourt. Other than Daniel Gafford, the Wizards don’t have athletic, bouncy big men on their roster. Nathan Knight would help fill that gap.
The 25-year-old combo big spent the last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, acting as the fourth big after Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Naz Reid. This meant he didn’t get too much playing time, but in limited minutes he was able to show his agility and bounce.
Knight is a fast athletic big man, despite his 6’10 and strong frame. He weighed over 250 pounds last season and doesn’t get pushed around easily. He is a great finisher around the basket, can rise for rebounds, and make plays on the short roll. Despite a low number of attempts, he has shown an ability to extend his range behind the three-point line to become a stretch five.
Known more for his physical and athletic tools, Knight is also a skilled player on both ends of the floor. He was a very productive college player albeit playing in a small conference with William & Mary. There, he showed he can be a modern big, who can score off-the-dribble and inside the paint, while also protecting the rim on the other end. It’s time he showed that at the NBA level.
It’s not clear whether he will ever get there in the pros. But for a minimum contract, you can do much worse than Knight. A player his age with his tools and skillset is worth a flyer for a rebuilding team.