Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |
We don't know where the Knicks are going to pick in the 2019 NBA Draft yet, so it's way too early to say who New York may target on draft night. But it's worth noting that some Knicks talent evaluators are fans of Duke forward Cam Reddish, per sources.
Reddish, a 6-foot-8 freshman, averaged 13.5 points on 35 percent shooting last season. The 19-year-old didn't shoot well from beyond the arc, but those in the Knicks' front office who like Reddish see his game translating well to the NBA.
Again, this is not to say that the Knicks will certainly target Reddish if they end up picking fourth or fifth. There is a long way to go between now and when they're on the clock on June 20. But Reddish does have New York talent evaluators who think highly of him.
The Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers all have a 14 percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick and the chance to select Duke's Zion Williamson in the draft. We will know the order of the draft on May 14 after the NBA Lottery.
Knicks president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry said on MSG Network's MSG 150 on Monday that the club has prepared all season for different scenarios in the draft.
"We've seen and we know a lot about the people we need to know about," Mills said.
Reddish is likely to be selected outside of the top 3 picks (Williamson, Ja Morant and RJ Barrett), and the Knicks will pick no lower than fifth. No matter where the Knicks select in the draft, if they sign Kevin Durant and another max player in free agency, there will be plenty of speculation over whether they will include their first-round pick in a trade package for a veteran such as Anthony Davis.
But it's worth noting there is no consensus among decision-makers at this point about trading the 2019 first-round pick in a package for Davis or another veteran, sources said.
The Knicks have a total of seven first-round picks over the next five drafts.
NO 'DOUBT' MORANT CAN FIT IN NY
Can presumptive top 3 pick Ja Morant fit in New York? Murray State head coach Matt McMahon believes he can (as you'd expect).
Ja or nah?
- MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) May 8, 2019
Murray State Coach Matt McMahon on what makes Ja Morant the ultimate NBA prospect and 'Point God'🙏 #MSG150 pic.twitter.com/DIp8WojMtz
"I don't think there's any doubt about it. He's just such a special player," McMahon said on MSG Network when asked about Morant playing in New York. "I think he's gonna sell a lot of shoes, he's gonna put people in seats because everyone wants to see what he's gonna do next - whether that's jumping over a 6-foot-8 guy to dunk on him or a lob pass from behind half court. He just plays the game in an exciting way that few people can match."
Morant is the top point guard in the draft and would seem like an easy pick for the Knicks to make if they end up with the second pick. But if New York believes it will sign a top point guard like Kyrie Irving this summer, would that cause the Knicks to go in a different direction with the pick?
PERRY LOOKING TO ADD SHOOTERS THIS SUMMER
Here's GM Scott Perry, speaking on MSG Network, on what he's looking to add in free agency this summer:
"Add experience, add some guys that can shoot the basketball. With the way the game is going now, the great number of 3-point shots, you need guys that can make shots. We want some guys with a little edge that can defend as well. Those ingredients all fit into how we want to play the game and what we talked about from the very beginning."
The Knicks will have roughly $70 million in cap space this summer. If New York signs two max free agents, that would leave the $4.7 million room exception and veterans minimum contracts to offer other free agents.
FRAZIER JERSEY FOR SALE
Lelands Spring 2019 Classic Auction will feature Knicks legend Walt Frazier's game-worn jersey from Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. In the series-clinching win over the Lakers, Frazier had 36 points, 19 assists and 7 rebounds in what is considered one of the best Game 7 performances ever.