The New York Knicks recently scouted Trae Young at his Pro Day in Los Angeles. New York has since scheduled a private workout with Young.
The New York Knicks have made a commitment to filling the voids at small forward and center. True as that may be, general manager Scott Perry has acknowledged that the franchise would select a guard if they were blown away.
While the odds of the Knicks selecting a guard are admittedly slim, there’s one player who appears to be blowing the front office away: Trae Young.
New York recently sent an executive to Los Angeles to scout Young at his Pro Day. It followed the report that the Knicks are hoping that the Oklahoma Sooners point guard will slide to No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, the Knicks will host Young for a private workout at the team facility in Tarrytown.
"Despite the Knicks picking ninth in the June 21 NBA Draft, Oklahoma star point guard Trae Young has decided to give them a private workout at the team facility in Tarrytown, according to an NBA source."
Ian Begley of ESPN New York later corroborated the report.
Young is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft, but it’s easy to see why the Knicks have such significant interest.
For all of the concern that may exist about Young’s small frame, he’s one of the most skilled players in this class. He’s an elite three-point shooter and a remarkable floor general who has the court vision to legitimately run an offense.
For a Knicks team that ranked No. 29 in the NBA in three-point field goals made, adding a marksman from beyond the arc would certainly help.
Considering New York has also been lacking the presence of a reliable facilitator since the 2012-13 season, that inevitably bolsters Young’s appeal.
The working theory appears to be that Young and Frank Ntilikina would be able to play alongside one another. Ntilikina could help make up for Young’s offensive inconsistencies, while the Oklahoma star would simplify the game offensively.
With David Fizdale committed to helping Ntilikina become a legitimate knockdown shooter, a Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson balance may be the ultimately goal.
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The New York Knicks may not have a chance to select Trae Young at the 2018 NBA Draft, but if they do, it appears as though he’ll come off the board.