Add yet another 2015 NBA draft prospect to the New York Knicks' list: Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis is becoming a favorite - over Emmanuel Mudiay, Justise Winslow, Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles - in the Knicks' front office, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
There's been a flurry of Knicks-related draft reports, ranging from team president Phil Jackson having it narrowed down to one of four players to Jackson set on trading the pick - possibly for Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson. The purported list of four players, though, now has a new name.
Per Mannix:
"The Knicks have been circling four players, according to league sources: Porzingis, former high school star Emmanuel Mudiay, Duke's Justise Winslow and Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein. Mudiay and Winslow are more NBA-ready-a factor for a team built around 31-year-old Carmelo Anthony-while Porzingis, an offensively skilled stretch four who needs to fill out-has earned fans in the Knicks' front office.
"Clarence Gaines, an advisor with the ear of Phil Jackson, has scouted Porzingis. Long term, Porzingis could be the best of the bunch. Short term, he's a project."
This is the first Porzingis has been linked to New York. The 19-year-old Latvian played last season in Spain, where he drew comparisons to Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki. The athletic Porzingis, who's sometimes listed as either 6-foot-11 or 7-foot, has a beautiful outside shot and is a threat from 3-point range.
It seems unlikely, however, that Jackson takes him with the fourth overall pick. As Mannix pointed out, Porzingis needs time to develop into an NBA player. The problem is Jackson needs to win now.
Mudiay or Winslow appears to be the likeliest pick for Jackson, although a report Tuesday claimed the Knicks were now seriously considering trading down. A reported sixth name is Frank Kaminsky, but he seems a likely pick by the Knicks only if the team trades down.
