New York Knicks: 4 draft prospects using Kenny Payne’s insight

Kenny Payne can make an early impact on the New York Knicks in the upcoming draft.

Most New York Knicks fans have been obsessed with LaMelo Ball since highlights of his games in the Australian league started circulating the internet.

While the Knicks do need a true point guard that thinks pass first, the real priority is getting a player that can break down a defense and provide the gravity necessary to generate offense. Most teams rely on their primary ballhander to do that, but all that matters is that there is at least one player on the court with that ability.

There are real concerns about the top two point guard prospects in this year’s draft class. Neither LaMelo Ball nor Killian Hayes have athleticism that is considered elite and neither are great at getting to the rim. There are also concerns on the defensive end.

That is why drafting a wing player might make more sense. Below are some players that I was intrigued by, but dismissed before because I didn’t think they were a good fit.

However, now that Kenny Payne is on the staff, my thinking has changed. With the limited access to scout prospects this year because of COVID-19, it would make sense to focus on players the Knicks are most familiar with, which means players Kenny Payne knows first hand from the SEC.

We will look at 4 of them: Anthony Edwards, Isaac Okoro, Tyrese Maxey and Kira Lewis Jr..