With only two days until the 2018 NBA Draft, the Knicks are locking up their draft board as they pinpoint the potential prospects they want to select with their No. 9 overall pick.
Rumors that have been swirling around leading up to the draft have placed players like SF Mikal Bridges and PG Trae Young among the top candidates to be selected by New York.
However, Kentucky F Kevin Knox has gained some traction since his joint workout for the Knicks -- so much so that his father, Kevin Knox Sr., believes the Knicks are definitely considering the 6-foot-9 forward with their first-round choice.
It has been nine days since Knox showcased his skill in front of Knicks brass. Knox reportedly impressed during the session, and according to The Post's Marc Berman, he got the best of another Knicks candidate in Michigan State's Miles Bridges.
"He had a terrific workout, even kicked around Miles Bridges, who is a coupole of years older than him," an NBA source said.
After the workout, GM Scott Perry gave a call to Knox Sr. to talk about how well his son performed. It is because of this 20-minute call that he believes the Knicks are very serious about taking his son when it's their turn to pick -- granted he is still on the board.
"You never know, but I was thinking why would management call again to chat it up for 20 minutes about a potential client?" Knox Sr. said. "We talked about the roster and what a perfect fit he could be. That's what Scott and I talked about. Scott said he seems mature for his age.
"Maybe Scott was calling to make sure I wasn't a Lavar [Ball]."
Knox, who is the second youngest player in the draft, will still be 18 when he hears his name called Thursday night. His 19th birthday doesn't come until August. However, Knox certainly didn't looked outmatched because of his age on the court last season. He averaged 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game for John Calipari's Wildcats.
Knox Sr. believes his son did enough to show that he is worth a Top 10 selection, and if he had the choice, it seems that seeing his son in the blue and orange in Madison Square Garden would be a great sight.
"An opportunity in New York, we're excited about it," Knox Sr. said. "There would be nice young building blocks with my son, [Kristaps] Porzingis], Frank [Ntilikina], Tim Hardaway Jr., [Emmanuel] Mudiay, Enes Kanter. They could be the Boston Celtics one day."
At one time, Knox wasn't considered a top prospect and was expected to go later in the draft. But, after workouts like his one for the Knicks, Knox's status in the draft is entirely unknown. The Knicks could very well pick him, while some experts think he can go as high as No. 7 to the Bulls.
That is why Knox Sr. won't be leaving his son's table until he hears his name called.
"Listen, after the fifth pick, I'm not going to use the restroom anymore," Knox Sr. joked.