Knicks Draft: Killian Hayes interviews with NY, Cavs not interested
2020 NBA Draft prospect Killian Hayes has interviewed with the New York Knicks.
As the New York Knicks prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft, we are slowly learning some of the prospects they are interviewing to gain information during these challenging times presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
Appearing on a French podcast, the agent of lottery prospect Killian Hayes indicated the point guard has interviewed with the Knicks and will not meet with the Cleveland Cavaliers since, he says, the team is not interested in selecting him. The Cavs finished with the second worst record in the league, which will give them the second highest lottery odds.
Hayes played professionally for ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) this past season. It is considered the top league in Germany and the EuroCup. The 6-foot-5 guard is considered a top point guard in this year’s draft, drawing comparisons to NBA superstar James Harden.
Big up to Google Translate:
— Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) June 30, 2020
“Yann Balikouzou, the agent of Killian Hayes, tells us in the podcast @Envergure_Pod that Killian Hayes will not be interviewed by the Cavaliers.
According to him, Cleveland would not be interested in a guard.” https://t.co/i0Gg5th9pq
The Knicks are in search of a lead guard to add to their foundational pieces of Mitchell Robinson and RJ Barrett. It was recently reported they have LaMelo Ball as the top point guard on their draft board—and the desire to have the tall point guard play in New York is reciprocated by the Ball camp.
The Knicks have the sixth best odds to land the top pick in the draft. They could pick anywhere between 1-10, with the exception of fifth. If Ball is off the board, or if they decide Hayes is their top target, they can hope the ping pong balls land their way, or try to orchestrate a trade using their excess draft capital with an additional first round pick from the Clippers this year, and two first round picks owed from Dallas over the next few years.
According to The Stepien’s scouting report, Hayes is considered a lead guard with elite passing skills, who “provides lineup flexibility due to shooting and quick decision-making passing the ball (swings).” He can play both on and off the ball.
Next. Re-drafting New York's last 10 first round picks. dark
The Knicks are preparing for the draft as they continue their head coaching search, which is expected to reach a conclusion at the end of the month.