Cole Anthony seems to be the exact type of player the Knicks are looking for in the 2020 NBA Draft.
And it doesn't hurt matters that he's a New York City kid who grew up watching the Knicks.
Anthony, who spent one season at North Carolina before declaring for the draft, is a point guard who knows how to score, something the current roster is missing. Elfrid Payton is a pass-first facilitator while Frank Ntilikina is more of a defensive-minded player whose offense hasn't quite caught up. Dennis Smith Jr., meanwhile, has struggled to find playing time since being acquired in the Kristaps Porzingis trade.
Speaking recently to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, Anthony, who grew up on the Upper West Side and is son of former NBA player and current analyst Greg Anthony, said he "still got love" for his hometown team.
"It would be pretty cool," Anthony told The Post. "I was a fan for a good amount of time. I do like the Knicks. I think they definitely can use a guard, a good scoring point guard. If that happens, it would be pretty cool to play in front of my little brother."
Despite needed knee surgery in December, Anthony still finished the season with averages of 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. His shooting was a bit inconsistent at times -- shooting 38 percent from the floor -- but the potential is there for him to be the scoring ball-handler the Knicks need.
There's still so much up in the air with the NBA due to coronavirus. For now, there are no set plans about when the 2019-20 season might resume, which would then affect when the 2020 NBA Draft would take place.
But despite all of those questions, Anthony is just looking to be drafted by the team that's the best fit for him, regardless of where in the draft that might be.
"What pick you're drafted at doesn't mean anything," he said. "I'd rather be drafted 17th in a really good situation for myself, then go seventh in a terrible situation for myself where I'm behind two other lead guards. It's really all about fit."