New York Knicks: Intriguing NBA G League prospects
By Will Stern
A number of G League players are searching for an opportunity to thrive in the NBA. Which local players should the New York Knicks be scouting?
In the Westchester Knicks’ short history since their inception in 2014, they’ve experience reasonable success at producing NBA talent. In 2015, Langston Galloway became their first ever call-up, signing a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks.
Galloway parlayed that rare opportunity into a partially guaranteed two-year deal. These days, he’s a 21 million dollar man with the Pistons.
Last season, the Knicks gave a 10-day deal to Chasson Randle. He was waived this fall, but he showed promise in his 18 games in New York.
So who are the next Westchester Knicks to make a name for themselves in the NBA and join up with Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina in the Mecca?
Nigel Hayes
Nigel Hayes had a historic four-year career at the University of Wisconsin. He played alongside Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, and eventually became the leader of a Badger team that went to four straight Sweet 16s, two Final Fours, and one NCAA Championship Game.
Hayes’ jumper was a question mark in college, but so far in the G League, it doesn’t seem to be a problem. In five games this season, he’s knocking down 2.3 three-point field goals per game at a 58.3 percent clip clip
Averages of 18.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game make Hayes a very intriguing prospect for the Knicks.
At an athletic and solid 6”8′, Hayes has huge defensive potential, with the size to bang down low and the length to defend wings. His offense is already looking quite polished.
Luke Kornet
Luke Kornet is the most likely Westchester Knicks prospect to see NBA minutes in the near future. He’s a 7’1″ big with range on his jumper and the ability to block shots. So far in his six games played this season for Westchester, Kornet has blocked 1.7 shots per game.
Kornet is also averaging 14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.7 three-point field goals made on a slash line of .457/.390/.700.
On Tuesday, Kornet dropped 24 points. He showed a bit of everything, posting up, draining threes, and even making a sweet one-touch pass for an assist.
The obvious, though ridiculous, comparison for the 7’1″ rim protecting three-point shooter is Kristaps Porzingis, but the Knicks wouldn’t mind if he ended up playing like a cheaper version of Andrea Bargnani.
Trey Burke
Burke is familiar name to many due to the fact that he’s a former National College Player of the Year. Playing for the Washington Wizards last year, however, Burke failed to make a lasting impression (despite one 27 point outpouring).
That leads us to the 2017-18 season, during which you can find Burke lighting it up in the G League. He leads the team with 22.8 points per game, and the point guard has been dishing out 6.2 assists per contest as well.
The Michigan product is an athletic scorer, with an excellent midrange jumper and a penchant for hitting difficult shots.
Must Read: Believe it or not, the culture is changing
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Trey Burke were used this season to spell an injury or if the New York Knicks move on from Ramon Sessions.