The New York Knicks are in a transitory period. While their star, Kristaps Porzingis, recovers from a devastating ACL tear, the team has ushered in a new coach, David Fizdale. In his second year leading the Knicks, team president Steve Mills — who replaced Phil Jackson — is looking to rebuild the historic franchise.
As basketball fans know, the draft is a tremendous tool for rebuilding teams. The Knicks hold the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft, and if they can secure a star to pair with Porzingis, their future will look significantly brighter.
Is it possible Oklahoma freshman sensation Trae Young could be the selection? In late May, a report indicated the Knicks “have the hots” for Young, and the interest was mutual.
Now, we have more evidence that the team is eyeing the Norman product.
“He’s an intriguing player, intriguing talent,” Mills gushed of Young, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. “[Trae] is a little bit bigger than he looked on the court. You look at what he did with the players he had around him and what he did at the start of the season. You have to say this guy has a chance to be a special player.”
Young averaged 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game in his lone collegiate season. He was a consensus first-team All-American.
“When I got to see him play at the tournament, the first time I saw him live, I was really impressed the way he moved the basketball,” Mills added. “He sees everything on the floor. He’s willing to release the ball and get it into a fast break. It was really impressive.”
Draft Details
The 2018 NBA Draft will take place Thursday, June 21, after the NBA Finals wraps up. Phoenix holds the No. 1 pick, and rumors indicate the Suns are leaning toward Arizona center DeAndre Ayton.
