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Knicks get up-close look at draft prospect AJ Griffin during workout

ByAdam Kester|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 11: AJ Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes in the 2022 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament - Semifinals at Barclays Center on March 11, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 11: AJ Griffin #21 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the first half against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes in the 2022 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament - Semifinals at Barclays Center on March 11, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks were well represented at the CAA Pro Day in Southern California, which featured a few big-time 2022 NBA Draft prospects. Among the players who worked out in front of NBA executives were Jaden Ivey and AJ Griffin.

Ivey, who will be out of New York’s reach at No. 11 in the draft, has received a ton of hype as one of the elite talents in this draft and could be someone worth trading up for.

While not projected to be drafted as high as Ivey, Griffin has still created a lot of buzz as an impact NBA player who may have a star-level ceiling that he can reach. He certainly made an impression during his workout.

The New York Knicks take a closer look at 2022 NBA Draft prospect AJ Griffin

Griffin pulled up to the workout with a new hairstyle and laser focus. So many adjectives always get thrown around when describing draft prospects. If you want to put prospect analysis into the broadest terms possible, everything is usually broken down into the player’s physical talent and skill level. Griffin showed off a ton of both at his workout.

It’s easy to see why Griffin is so highly touted. If you’re going to bank on one of his skills translating at a high level in the NBA, it would be his shooting. Griffin shot just under 45% from 3-point range last season at Duke on over 4 attempts per game.

Then, there’s his size at the wing. Griffin, who won’t turn 19 until August, stands at 6’6 with a 7-foot wingspan. Even at a young age, his muscular frame doesn’t appear to have much catching up to do to reach NBA-level strength.

His career to this point has been so volatile because of injuries. Griffin had multiple serious injuries in high school and a few nagging ones throughout his freshman year at Duke. His health is certainly a concern and it may be what allows for New York to potentially nab him at 11.

Among the Knicks brass in attendance for the CAA workouts were Team President Leon Rose and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. New York isn’t in much of a position to draft based on need, so any and every prospect should be on the radar.

The sharpshooting Griffin certainly has some connections to the organization and players on the roster, and he could fit well on the perimeter alongside some of the other young players. Don’t be surprised if the Knicks select Griffin if he’s still on the board when they’re on the clock on June 23.

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