2020 NBA Draft: NYK target a PG
- Thread starter mafra
- Start date
With the rumors of Westbrook wanting out of Houston, it wouldn’t surprise me if Rose made a play for him. Russ has one of those albatross contracts along with Houston probably not wanting to give him away in a salary dump, they’ll be looking to replenish some of those assets they’ve traded away when they got him. Not going to be easy for him to become a Knick.
pat
Starter
His game is not going to age well.
Some guy on the ROX bbs suggested this trade. Pretty sure the Knicks would go for it.
[FONT="]If the Rockets can get:[/FONT]
[FONT="]Ellington, Knox, Payton, and Randle and that number 8 pick, I’d be fine with it.[/FONT]
I wouldn?t give up the number 8 for a guy with a huge contract. If you can draft worth a damn, it?s those solid players on rookie contracts that let you build a team. I sure hope we have a good plan for 8.
Knicks worked out Kira Lewis. Seems several draft prospects shot 40% from deep on low volume so that maybe a reason that Vassell is slated to go between 8-11 and not higher, he shot 41.5% in 2 years averaging I think 4.5 shots a game. Here?s the latest on the Knicks draft.
When Kira Lewis Jr. met with Knicks brass earlier this month in Miami, it was a bit of a surreal experience for the 19-year-old. Here he was, at dinner at Fleming?s, with William Wesley, Scott Perry and Tom Thibodeau, all of whom he had known of for some time but was now meeting in person ? there was something memorable to it.
?Being there with famous people that you normally see on social media or on TV,? Lewis told The Athletic. ?You?re right there in front of them, having dinner with them, having a conversation.?
It might be a month of many new highs for Lewis. He has emerged as one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft, seemingly rising up draft boards. He has worked out for the Knicks, who pick eighth next week, and are in need of a point guard. He sits 12th on Sam Vecenie?s Big Board, but has also worked out for the Bulls and Pistons, according to Bleacher Report.
Lewis has an intriguing case to make. He played two seasons at Alabama, where as a sophomore he averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game and hit 36.6 percent of his 3s. His blazing speed helps offset his slighter frame, although Lewis said he has put on 12 or 13 pounds while preparing for the draft.
That speed may be his best weapon when he enters the NBA.
?It?ll help in the open floor, trying to get easy opportunities, fast breaks, being able to change pace, keep the defenders off balance, being able to get into the lane and create for teammates,? Lewis said. ?I feel that?s going to be a key component when I first get to the NBA as a rookie.?
Although Lewis said he watches film of many point guards, he focuses on the ones with a similar build and playing style. He sees a comparison to himself in De?Aaron Fox, another wiry but quick point guard.
Fox measured in at 6-foot-3 in shoes and 169.6 pounds prior to the 2017 draft, according to NBA combine measurements. Lewis was listed at 6-3 and 165 pounds by Alabama. He said that having that kind of frame has its advantages and disadvantages.
?I?m going to start with disadvantage: People when you first get there, they?ll be a bit more physical, so you just got to find a way to get used to the physicality. But once you get used to the physicality, everything really is smoothing out and you keep get stronger year by year,? he said. ?You are coming in at 19 but that?s not how your body is going to be at 26, 27. You?re going to get stronger. I have to say advantages, although you might not be the biggest with that slender body, you could be quick and it?d be hard for people to keep up with you if you know how to change paces and be slippery around them. Every now and then you might be stronger than what people think you are.?
Lewis? age and experience level play in his favor. He made strides as a sophomore but is younger than Cole Anthony, Tyrell Terry, RJ Hampton and Tyrese Maxey; and he is just three and half months older than Killian Hayes.
He tried to use the offseason to carry on his forward momentum. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the NCAA season, he first found a way to work out at his high school gym, then worked out in Cleveland and in Miami. Lewis said he used these last few months to improve his ballhandling, his reads on the pick-and-roll, playing and finishing against length, and finishing at the rim against contact.
He also said he believes the he?ll have an opportunity to surprise with his off-ball game, which, he said, was dormant at Alabama, where he wore a heavy burden as the offensive engine. Lewis ran the 11th most pick-and-roll possessions (including passes) in all of Division I last season, according to Synergy Sports, and finished in the 65th percentile in points per possession. No other potential first-round pick was in the top 40 in pick-and-roll possessions per game; Tyrese Haliburton finished 41st.
?The way the NBA is nowadays, they look at young players as good players,? he said. ?I feel me being 19, it helps a lot, they look at potential a lot. With me playing two years but still being 19, they can look at how I grew from year one to year two and they also can project my potential for later on down the road in my career.?
The Knicks certainly have interest. They used one of the 10 workouts they?ve been allotted this draft cycle on watching Lewis in Miami.
Their meeting was more of a get-to-know-you affair. They talked about his family and what he does outside of basketball.
But he feels he would be a good fit with the Knicks, who need a point guard, and who need young talent to build around alongside RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
?I feel like wherever I go, including the Knicks, I?d be a great pick,? he said. ?They did their background check and they wouldn?t be showing interest in the players they show interest in if they didn?t feel like they had a fit with them. I feel like I fit in well being a point guard that creates opportunities for a team as well as myself, get players open shots, using my quickness in the open floor and fast breaks. I want to compete and win.?
Lewis has noticed that he seems to be climbing up the draft, from the teams he?s worked out for, from the feedback he?s received from his agent, to what he?s seen on social media. But he can?t proffer a guess on where he thinks he?ll go.
Instead, he?s looking forward to draft night, which he thinks will be the best experience yet of this now very long process.
?Whenever the Timberwolves, they got their pick and they say they?re on the clock, you can finally be like you?re finally here,? he said. ?And whenever you get picked of course. Because just because you come out but haven?t been picked but when you get picked or a team calls you right before, that?s when it?ll hit you.?
There doesn?t seem to be any outward consensus building yet on what the Knicks might do on draft night. League sources said they?ve been keeping their intentions close. Although it?s been difficult to get a definitive gauge on what the franchise is thinking ahead of the draft, it seems they have been doing their research on the point guard class.
They?ve shown interest in Hayes, though it?s hard to say at what level. He seems to have a wide range in the draft. Our Chris Kirschner reported that there?s ?been some buzz about French guard Killian Hayes as an option? for the Hawks, who pick sixth. Hayes has also worked out for the Magic, according to league sources, who pick 15th.
The Knicks have also reached out to schedule a second interview with Terry, though nothing has materialized yet. Terry is another climber up draft boards, it seems. He was 39th on Vecenie?s board in early April and is now 23rd. He seems likely to be out of range of the Knicks? second first-round pick, which sits at No. 27. He is an interesting prospect because of his shooting ability. He hit 40.8 percent of his 3s after taking 4.9 per game as a freshman at Stanford, where he averaged 14.6 points per game and finished in the 72nd percentile in points per possession running the pick-and-roll.
The Knicks have also worked out players who could go on both ends of the lottery. Obi Toppin worked out for the Knicks and he has been projected at No. 5 to the Cavaliers, but also worked out for the Timberwolves and Hornets.
The Knicks have also worked out Villanova wing Saddiq Bey, according to league sources. He could slide into the back end of the lottery, but presents an intriguing option at the position with his physical profile and after shooting 45 percent on 5.6 3s per game his sophomore season. He could be an option if the Knicks trade down from No. 8.
They interviewed Isaac Okoro, though the Auburn wing said he hasn?t worked out for them. He?s projected to go anywhere from No. 5 on down into the lottery.
Toppin has been bandied about as a potential fit for the Knicks, though it does not seem as if he will be there at No. 8. He is a late bloomer who transformed himself into perhaps the best player in college basketball last season and projects as a dynamic offensive player in the NBA. And he?s a Brooklyn native.
Toppin is also a CAA client, which can?t hurt with the Knicks, though he said he didn?t meet Rose, who co-ran CAA basketball before taking over as Knicks president, until the interview process for the draft.
He would be a fairly unique pick wherever he gets chosen. He?s already 22, which is older for a draft prospect, especially one who could go in the lottery. Toppin would be the 10th-oldest player drafted in the top 20 since the 2008 draft and the sixth-oldest lottery pick.
22 and older Top-20 picks since 2008
PLAYER
Tyler Hansborough
Buddy Hield
Adrien Payne
Cameron Johnson
Delon Wright
Ekpe Udoh
Brandon Rush
Wesley Johnson
Jerian Grant
Obi Toppin
Denzel Valentine
Andrew Nicholson
Doug McDermott
Tyler Zeller
Hasheem Thabeet
James Johsnon
Jimmer Fredette
Matisse Thybulle
Kris Dunn
Taureen Prince
Justin Jackson
Frank Kaminsky
Kelly Olynyk
Eric Maynor
Terrance Williams
The track record for the 22-and-older group of players hasn?t been great.
Lewis on meeting World Wide Wes: ?It was cool. Growing up you know (him) in the NBA, a real cool dude. Liked to joke and have a good time. Gave me some knowledge just for when, whether I?m with them or not, that I remember. He?s just an overall good dude who likes to have a good time, brings about a good energy.?
Lewis said he knew of Wesley before the meeting but had never met him. He said Wesley imparted some knowledge on him but declined to say what it is.
Because of this year?s offseason schedule, the timetable between the draft and training camp is going to be extremely condensed. Lewis and other rookies will be drafted on Nov. 18 and start training camp Dec. 1. That?s something he?s prepared for.
?It?ll be tough,? he said. ?As soon as whenever you hear your name you will get to celebrate with your family and friends and then the next day it?s basically like you?re going to work. Yeah, it?ll be challenging. Every day will be something new. But I?ve pretty much been adjusting your whole life with basketball but it?ll be nothing that?s a shocker.?
The Knicks have made a few new hires to their scouting staff. They added Larry Greer as an advance scout and also brought on former Mavericks scout Reggie Johnson, a league source told The Athletic. Fred Cofield, who had been a scout, is now an assistant to the general manager. The Knicks have also hired two new video coordinators. That continues a reformation of both the front office and coaching staff since March.
When Kira Lewis Jr. met with Knicks brass earlier this month in Miami, it was a bit of a surreal experience for the 19-year-old. Here he was, at dinner at Fleming?s, with William Wesley, Scott Perry and Tom Thibodeau, all of whom he had known of for some time but was now meeting in person ? there was something memorable to it.
?Being there with famous people that you normally see on social media or on TV,? Lewis told The Athletic. ?You?re right there in front of them, having dinner with them, having a conversation.?
It might be a month of many new highs for Lewis. He has emerged as one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft, seemingly rising up draft boards. He has worked out for the Knicks, who pick eighth next week, and are in need of a point guard. He sits 12th on Sam Vecenie?s Big Board, but has also worked out for the Bulls and Pistons, according to Bleacher Report.
Lewis has an intriguing case to make. He played two seasons at Alabama, where as a sophomore he averaged 18.5 points and 5.2 assists per game and hit 36.6 percent of his 3s. His blazing speed helps offset his slighter frame, although Lewis said he has put on 12 or 13 pounds while preparing for the draft.
That speed may be his best weapon when he enters the NBA.
?It?ll help in the open floor, trying to get easy opportunities, fast breaks, being able to change pace, keep the defenders off balance, being able to get into the lane and create for teammates,? Lewis said. ?I feel that?s going to be a key component when I first get to the NBA as a rookie.?
Although Lewis said he watches film of many point guards, he focuses on the ones with a similar build and playing style. He sees a comparison to himself in De?Aaron Fox, another wiry but quick point guard.
Fox measured in at 6-foot-3 in shoes and 169.6 pounds prior to the 2017 draft, according to NBA combine measurements. Lewis was listed at 6-3 and 165 pounds by Alabama. He said that having that kind of frame has its advantages and disadvantages.
?I?m going to start with disadvantage: People when you first get there, they?ll be a bit more physical, so you just got to find a way to get used to the physicality. But once you get used to the physicality, everything really is smoothing out and you keep get stronger year by year,? he said. ?You are coming in at 19 but that?s not how your body is going to be at 26, 27. You?re going to get stronger. I have to say advantages, although you might not be the biggest with that slender body, you could be quick and it?d be hard for people to keep up with you if you know how to change paces and be slippery around them. Every now and then you might be stronger than what people think you are.?
Lewis? age and experience level play in his favor. He made strides as a sophomore but is younger than Cole Anthony, Tyrell Terry, RJ Hampton and Tyrese Maxey; and he is just three and half months older than Killian Hayes.
He tried to use the offseason to carry on his forward momentum. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the NCAA season, he first found a way to work out at his high school gym, then worked out in Cleveland and in Miami. Lewis said he used these last few months to improve his ballhandling, his reads on the pick-and-roll, playing and finishing against length, and finishing at the rim against contact.
He also said he believes the he?ll have an opportunity to surprise with his off-ball game, which, he said, was dormant at Alabama, where he wore a heavy burden as the offensive engine. Lewis ran the 11th most pick-and-roll possessions (including passes) in all of Division I last season, according to Synergy Sports, and finished in the 65th percentile in points per possession. No other potential first-round pick was in the top 40 in pick-and-roll possessions per game; Tyrese Haliburton finished 41st.
?The way the NBA is nowadays, they look at young players as good players,? he said. ?I feel me being 19, it helps a lot, they look at potential a lot. With me playing two years but still being 19, they can look at how I grew from year one to year two and they also can project my potential for later on down the road in my career.?
The Knicks certainly have interest. They used one of the 10 workouts they?ve been allotted this draft cycle on watching Lewis in Miami.
Their meeting was more of a get-to-know-you affair. They talked about his family and what he does outside of basketball.
But he feels he would be a good fit with the Knicks, who need a point guard, and who need young talent to build around alongside RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
?I feel like wherever I go, including the Knicks, I?d be a great pick,? he said. ?They did their background check and they wouldn?t be showing interest in the players they show interest in if they didn?t feel like they had a fit with them. I feel like I fit in well being a point guard that creates opportunities for a team as well as myself, get players open shots, using my quickness in the open floor and fast breaks. I want to compete and win.?
Lewis has noticed that he seems to be climbing up the draft, from the teams he?s worked out for, from the feedback he?s received from his agent, to what he?s seen on social media. But he can?t proffer a guess on where he thinks he?ll go.
Instead, he?s looking forward to draft night, which he thinks will be the best experience yet of this now very long process.
?Whenever the Timberwolves, they got their pick and they say they?re on the clock, you can finally be like you?re finally here,? he said. ?And whenever you get picked of course. Because just because you come out but haven?t been picked but when you get picked or a team calls you right before, that?s when it?ll hit you.?
There doesn?t seem to be any outward consensus building yet on what the Knicks might do on draft night. League sources said they?ve been keeping their intentions close. Although it?s been difficult to get a definitive gauge on what the franchise is thinking ahead of the draft, it seems they have been doing their research on the point guard class.
They?ve shown interest in Hayes, though it?s hard to say at what level. He seems to have a wide range in the draft. Our Chris Kirschner reported that there?s ?been some buzz about French guard Killian Hayes as an option? for the Hawks, who pick sixth. Hayes has also worked out for the Magic, according to league sources, who pick 15th.
The Knicks have also reached out to schedule a second interview with Terry, though nothing has materialized yet. Terry is another climber up draft boards, it seems. He was 39th on Vecenie?s board in early April and is now 23rd. He seems likely to be out of range of the Knicks? second first-round pick, which sits at No. 27. He is an interesting prospect because of his shooting ability. He hit 40.8 percent of his 3s after taking 4.9 per game as a freshman at Stanford, where he averaged 14.6 points per game and finished in the 72nd percentile in points per possession running the pick-and-roll.
The Knicks have also worked out players who could go on both ends of the lottery. Obi Toppin worked out for the Knicks and he has been projected at No. 5 to the Cavaliers, but also worked out for the Timberwolves and Hornets.
The Knicks have also worked out Villanova wing Saddiq Bey, according to league sources. He could slide into the back end of the lottery, but presents an intriguing option at the position with his physical profile and after shooting 45 percent on 5.6 3s per game his sophomore season. He could be an option if the Knicks trade down from No. 8.
They interviewed Isaac Okoro, though the Auburn wing said he hasn?t worked out for them. He?s projected to go anywhere from No. 5 on down into the lottery.
Toppin has been bandied about as a potential fit for the Knicks, though it does not seem as if he will be there at No. 8. He is a late bloomer who transformed himself into perhaps the best player in college basketball last season and projects as a dynamic offensive player in the NBA. And he?s a Brooklyn native.
Toppin is also a CAA client, which can?t hurt with the Knicks, though he said he didn?t meet Rose, who co-ran CAA basketball before taking over as Knicks president, until the interview process for the draft.
He would be a fairly unique pick wherever he gets chosen. He?s already 22, which is older for a draft prospect, especially one who could go in the lottery. Toppin would be the 10th-oldest player drafted in the top 20 since the 2008 draft and the sixth-oldest lottery pick.
22 and older Top-20 picks since 2008
PLAYER
| AGE (YEARS.DAYS) | PICK ? DRAFT YEAR | GAMES | MPG | PPG |
Tyler Hansborough
| 23.240 | 13th ? 2009 | 428 | 16.9 | 6.7 |
Buddy Hield
| 23.194 | 6th ? 2016 | 316 | 27.7 | 15.9 |
Adrien Payne
| 23.133 | 15th ? 2014 | 107 | 13.1 | 4 |
Cameron Johnson
| 23.114 | 11th ? 2019 | 57 | 22 | 8.8 |
Delon Wright
| 23.065 | 20th ? 2015 | 271 | 19.8 | 7.3 |
Ekpe Udoh
| 23.041 | 6th ? 2010 | 384 | 14.8 | 3.5 |
Brandon Rush
| 22.360 | 13th ? 2008 | 481 | 22 | 6.8 |
Wesley Johnson
| 22.354 | 4th ? 2010 | 609 | 22.1 | 7 |
Jerian Grant
| 22.264 | 19th ? 2015 | 279 | 17.9 | 6.1 |
Obi Toppin
| 22.258 | ?? ? 2020 |
Denzel Valentine
| 22.225 | 14th ? 2016 | 170 | 20.9 | 7.8 |
Andrew Nicholson
| 22.208 | 19th ? 2012 | 285 | 14.3 | 6 |
Doug McDermott
| 22.180 | 11th ? 2014 | 410 | 19.9 | 8.2 |
Tyler Zeller
| 22.168 | 17th ? 2012 | 414 | 17.5 | 6.9 |
Hasheem Thabeet
| 22.135 | 2nd ? 2009 | 224 | 10.5 | 2.2 |
James Johsnon
| 22.131 | 16th ? 2009 | 634 | 20.6 | 8 |
Jimmer Fredette
| 22.123 | 10th ? 2011 | 241 | 13.3 | 6 |
Matisse Thybulle
| 22.113 | 20th ? 2019 | 65 | 19.8 | 4.7 |
Kris Dunn
| 22.103 | 5th ? 2016 | 227 | 24.3 | 8.3 |
Taureen Prince
| 22.099 | 12th ? 2016 | 260 | 26.4 | 11.6 |
Justin Jackson
| 22.092 | 15th ? 2017 | 214 | 19.5 | 6.5 |
Frank Kaminsky
| 22.087 | 9th ? 2015 | 321 | 21.9 | 9.8 |
Kelly Olynyk
| 22.075 | 13th ? 2013 | 500 | 21.3 | 9.7 |
Eric Maynor
| 22.020 | 20th ? 2009 | 267 | 14.6 | 4.3 |
Terrance Williams
| 22.003 | 11th ? 2009 | 153 | 19.1 | 7.1 |
Lewis on meeting World Wide Wes: ?It was cool. Growing up you know (him) in the NBA, a real cool dude. Liked to joke and have a good time. Gave me some knowledge just for when, whether I?m with them or not, that I remember. He?s just an overall good dude who likes to have a good time, brings about a good energy.?
Lewis said he knew of Wesley before the meeting but had never met him. He said Wesley imparted some knowledge on him but declined to say what it is.
Because of this year?s offseason schedule, the timetable between the draft and training camp is going to be extremely condensed. Lewis and other rookies will be drafted on Nov. 18 and start training camp Dec. 1. That?s something he?s prepared for.
?It?ll be tough,? he said. ?As soon as whenever you hear your name you will get to celebrate with your family and friends and then the next day it?s basically like you?re going to work. Yeah, it?ll be challenging. Every day will be something new. But I?ve pretty much been adjusting your whole life with basketball but it?ll be nothing that?s a shocker.?
The Knicks have made a few new hires to their scouting staff. They added Larry Greer as an advance scout and also brought on former Mavericks scout Reggie Johnson, a league source told The Athletic. Fred Cofield, who had been a scout, is now an assistant to the general manager. The Knicks have also hired two new video coordinators. That continues a reformation of both the front office and coaching staff since March.
In the past few years, Westbrook has been a consistent triple-double player every time he visit the Garden. Truth be said, I don't think Westbrook ever loss a game in MSG.
Having a defensive-coach Thibs, and a explosive scoring Westbrook running the offense does say, "Playoff Team" !!!
Channing Frye was all in on the Knicks getting Russ. I could see a deal for him for JR Payton DSJ Ellington and Dallas pick(s) for Russ and Ben Mclemore.
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mafra
Legend
Yeah, that would be interesting... I see-saw back and forth on this. To me, if we are taking back the bad contract then we should get the pick. I wouldn?t trade them a pick... I don?t want RW that bad.
But if we get another player?
IDK.
I feel like there are easier ways to make us competitive, without having to watch Melo 2.0 era.
But if we get another player?
IDK.
I feel like there are easier ways to make us competitive, without having to watch Melo 2.0 era.
One of the things Frye was talking about with Russ is he's an alpha dog. If the Knicks want to change their culture they could use a guy like RW who is going to lead and hold guys accountable, Melo was never that guy with the Knicks. Also compare his numbers to Kemba last year, they were better in most areas other than 3pt and FT, so if his game is declining it hasn't happened yet and maybe doesn't happen until his contract is up. Rose isn't going to do what Dolan did in giving away the store to get Melo, if he can't make good deal for him it won't happen.
Also said the Rox were a team in flux which is confirmed by Rivers saying he was not picking up his option and Tucker reportedly not happy with his contract. They may need to pull off a multi-player deal for Russ to replace the guys they are going to lose this off-season.
Also said the Rox were a team in flux which is confirmed by Rivers saying he was not picking up his option and Tucker reportedly not happy with his contract. They may need to pull off a multi-player deal for Russ to replace the guys they are going to lose this off-season.
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KingCharles34
All Star
Im hoping we dont make a move for Westbrook to be honest. He is talented and still very athletic but he's one of the most delusional basketball players I have ever seen and is terrible in the playoffs. Hes certainly been on the decline, his prime was mid 2010's. His game will get a little uglier to watch each year
I just want to see us draft someone that has some value and can be a fixture in the Knicks rotation. You can't expect an all star with the 8th pick but I would gladly take a really good valuable role player
I just want to see us draft someone that has some value and can be a fixture in the Knicks rotation. You can't expect an all star with the 8th pick but I would gladly take a really good valuable role player
JLin going full circle in his career returning to his first NBA team and his Bay Area home with him reportedly signing a GLeague deal with the Warriors.