New York Knicks could target Killian Hayes in the 2020 NBA Draft
It’s no secret that the New York Knicks would love to get the opportunity to draft LaMelo Ball in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, equipped with the No. 8 overall pick, that’s highly unlikely. Short of trading up to one of the top 3 picks, New York is either going to have to settle for a guard they can take at No. 8 or trade for a veteran point guard heading into the 2021 season.
One potential guard that will likely be available for them to take at No. 8 will be Killian Hayes, who is projected to be drafted anywhere from No. 6 to the end of the lottery. According to a report, the Knicks have Hayes graded high and could be their second guard on the board behind Ball.
"[via New York Post]"
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"It doesn’t mean the Knicks will pick him if he falls to No. 8 in the NBA Draft, but Killian Hayes currently has a narrow edge as the team’s second point guard on the board after LaMelo Ball, according to NBA sources."
Considering where the Knicks will be picking on November 18, it’s not surprising that the Knicks would be interested in Hayes. What is surprising is if he is in fact the next guard on their board after Ball. Hayes has plenty of raw potential and is one of the biggest unknowns that will likely be selected in the lottery.
Hayes didn’t play NCAA basketball, which often helps players and their NBA draft prospects. Instead, Hayes is coming off a season in which he played with ratiopharm Ulm in the EuroCup league.
In 10 games, Hayes averaged 13 points and six assists on 46 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from 3-point range. He’s improved his jump shot over the last few years and has proven that he can be a capable playmaker.
The biggest questions revolve around his ability to translate to the NBA level quickly. At 6-foot-4, though, Hayes has great size, measurables, and ability to be a future star in the NBA. He may need a year or two to continue to develop and he would fit next to RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
The Knicks have been looking for their franchise point guard for years and there will be an opportunity to do that during the draft. With that said, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll do it. Could they trade down instead of taking a chance on a guard that they may or may not be sold on? Absolutely.
At the same rate, if the Knicks feel that Killian Hayes or another guard could be a future star, there’s no question that they should hesitate to make the pick at No. 8, or by moving up or down in the draft.