Marc Berman of the NY Post reports:
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.
Hayes, the 19-year-old left-hander who played in Germany last season, is considered to have a more supreme skill set than the other lottery-projected point guards such as Tyrese Haliburton, Kira Lewis, Cole Anthony, RJ Hampton, Theo Maledon and Tyrese Maxey.
It should be noted the NBA has just relaxed player workout rules, allowing allowing 4 1/2-hour in-person workouts/interviews/medical evaluations, so a turn of affairs can still be in order before Nov. 18. Four team officials are permitted at a Hayes workout.
The Knicks had gone into last season with an eye on drafting a point guard of the future but they are not stuck on that idea since president Leon Rose took charge in March. For instance, if forward Obi Toppin falls to No. 8, they certainly would pounce. Small forward Isaac Okoro also has intrigue.
Hayes has agreed to do a limited number of private, in-person workouts with one team. The Knicks probably will be granted an audience, according to a source.
A live, in-person workout for Hayes is considered important since he didn’t benefit from the exposure of the NCAA.
I’d be fine with Hayes. I like the idea of trading down more, though.