Knicks, Phil Jackson could trade down for one of these 2 players
The Knicks might be willing to deal the fourth pick in tonight's draft if they get offered a package worth their while. If that is, in fact, the case, New York can feel comfortable knowing that there are at least two prospects projected to go a little later int he draft of whom they are big fans.
Marc Berman of the New York Post has more on Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky and Kentucky's Trey Lyles:
(H/t to Marc Berman of the New York Post.)
Photo Credit: Jim Mone, Associated Press
Kaminsky, the NCAA Player of the Year, and Lyles worked out together last week at Tarrytown for the Knicks and are the likeliest big men the Knicks would select — if they trade down from the fourth pick into the range of the 10th pick.
Jackson sat with the senior and the freshman, who squared off in the NCAA Tournament semifinals, and showed the duo footage of the triangle offense last week.
“I’ve watched it before we had the film session,’’ Kaminsky said. “I know a bunch about it. It definitely makes sense for a player like me. I had film on it. I’d been watching a lot of film on a lot of different players. I saw Pau Gasol working the triangle offense. I try to take things away from that and use it in my game.’’
That sort of dedication has Jackson intrigued at selecting Kaminsky higher than most mock drafts project him. Kentucky coach John Calipari also revealed last week Jackson went to Lexington, Ky., and came out of the gym mumbling Lyles would be a good triangle fit because he’s a 6-foot-10 guy who can shoot 3’s.
“It’s an offense that runs through the 4 and gives freedom to all the players,’’ Lyles said. “It’s good. I think I’ll be able to fit into that.’’ The one-and-done Lyles is soft-spoken and almost an afterthought on the Wildcats superteam that saw its unbeaten season ruined by Kaminsky’s Badgers.
“I played at Kentucky, and that’s the biggest college in the nation basketball-wise, so it wouldn’t faze me any,” Lyles said of playing in the Big Apple.