New York Knicks president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills attended Malik Monk‘s pro workout day in New York, reportedly coming out enamored with the Kentucky prospect, according to a report by ESPN's Ian Begley.
The Knicks would love to snatch Monk with the eighth overall pick, an agile, athletic guard with an excellent shooting touch and great basketball IQ for shot selection, but most experts prognosticated that the Wildcat shooting guard wouldn't be there by the time the Knicks' name is called.
Because of it, Jackson and company are also taking a hard look at his teammate De'Aaron Fox, a lefty, yet lanky guard that can become the future point guard of the franchise, though he is expected to be among the first five selections.
French international Frank Ntilikina and North Carolina State guard Dennis Smith Jr. have also drawn deep interest from the team, though they would be alternate options if the New York can't secure either Wildcat with the eighth pick.
New York is going guard-heavy in this draft and are obsessively looking for the three-and-D archetype either through the draft or the free agency market.
This year's NBA Draft is likely their best option to net an impact player, given how they are shying away from signing with the Knicks after displaying a complete dysfunction this past season with the handling of players and front office personnel.
President Phil Jackson will be largely judged based on the outcome of the draft and the free-agent acquisitions that are made.
Follow Us
Subscribe