New York Knicks: RJ Hampton could be a top 10 steal in 2020 NBA Draft

RJ Hampton could end up being one of the biggest steals in the 2020 NBA Draft and the New York Knicks should be willing to take the risk.

Heading into the 2020 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks, short of moving up via the NBA Draft Lottery, will likely be picking in the second half of the top 10. That’s not exactly where you want to be picking, especially in a draft that is being labeled as a weak class.

Nevertheless, as is always the case at the draft, there will be an opportunity for the Knicks to improve. It will just take due diligence from their scouting department to identify the right prospect. They’ll need to find the real gem in the second, or possibly third, tier of prospects.

There will be plenty of options for the Knicks at 6, or wherever they may land. A few intriguing prospects that will likely be available when the Knicks go on the clock are Onyeka Okongwu, Obi Toppin, Tyrese Haliburton, Cole Anthony, Deni Avdija, and Isaac Okoro – or some variation of those projected top 10 picks.

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Although, one interesting name that could be also in the mix is RJ Hampton. He’s a player that the Knicks have already been rumored to be interested in. He’s also one of the biggest unknowns in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Hampton elected to skip college and played in the Australian NBL. Even though he didn’t post mind-blowing numbers for the New Zealand Breakers, averaging nine points and four rebounds on 41 percent shooting from the field, he was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. He was slated to play at Kansas after averaging over 30 points, nearly 10 rebounds, six assists, and four steals per game in high school.

As far as his measurables are concerned, there is plenty to like about Hampton. He’s 6-foot-5 and has a solid frame. He’s a great athlete and has all the tools to be a great two-way player at the next level. If there’s on big concern in Hampton’s game, it’s his efficiency. That’s a lot to unpack, and perhaps there’s more than just one variable that goes into that.

But he only shot 41 percent from the field and 30 percent from distance in the NBL. In fairness, he only played in 15 games before an injury forced him to drop out of competition and start preparing for the 2020 NBA Draft.

Perhaps he never got truly comfortable with the team and was never put in the right position for him to succeed. Still, the numbers aren’t great. And drafting a prospect solely on the potential that he showed in high school is…let’s say…extremely risky.

At the very least, because he didn’t really have a full post-high-school season, Hampton will likely need time to develop and grow his game. He might need a little more than some of the other prospects taken in the top 10 but could end up being the better player from this tier. Like most picks are in the 6-10 range in the NBA Draft, there is a risk.

But Hampton might be the player that the Knicks need in the 6-10 range. He likely will be the player taken at this point in the draft with the most upside, and that’s something that any team selecting in the late top 10 should be factoring in.

New York could be the perfect spot. The Knicks aren’t afraid to make a big splash and take on the risk. It’s something they’ve proven capable of doing time and time again over the last few decades. Even though it hasn’t really paid off for them much, perhaps Hampton could be the exception. Or the beginning of a positive trend.

Hampton could play either guard position and could play next to RJ Barrett. He’d give the Knicks one of the most promising, young backcourts in the league and would be a name that could also help ticket sales.

RJ Hampton could end up being one of the biggest steals in the draft, especially if he isn’t taken in the top 10. Though, I firmly believe that there will be a team in the top 10 that will be willing to take on the risk for a player with his natural ability. The Knicks should think long and hard about possibly being that team.