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New York Knicks: Duke basketball’s trio of stars worth an early look

By Rob Wolkenbrod

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MAY 8: Steve Mills, David Fizdale and Scott Perry of the New York Knicks during a press conference announcing David Fizdale as the new head coach on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

With the college basketball season about to go into full swing, the New York Knicks can take a look at the “Big 3” from Duke.

“Rebuilding,” “development” or another label, the New York Knicks have received these tags to define a 2018-19 season that’s only four games. It’s way too early to reach a conclusion on future events, but also doesn’t mean a blind eye should be turned.

Part of that outward look goes towards first round draft picks, which the Knicks won’t trade. Whether or not it’s an indication of how the front office thinks of the current group, they want to retain assets.

If New York misses the playoffs, pending they still own their first round pick, there’s a spot for them in the lottery.

The 2019 draft class has intriguing talents from top to bottom, including the late Manute Bol’s son, Bol Bol, Romeo Langford and Nassir Little. Each have a chance, even this early, to go in the first 14 selections. No one, as of Oct. 24, tops the hype around Duke’s prospects, however.

Call it a “Big 3,” “Duke Trinity,” or any publicly created nickname, but the Blue Devils roster three players—RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson and Cameron Reddish—that can all land in the top five, not just the top 14.

Each player, along with absurd hype to enter the 2018-19 college basketball season, offers a different skill set to intrigue NBA teams. They stand within 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-8, respectively, and have near NBA-ready bodies to fit into the 2019-20 structure.

So, before these professional prospects take the court for an official collegiate game, what can they bring to the NBA—potentiall the Knicks—in 12 months?

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