The Knicks have scheduled workouts with potential prospects Malik Monk and Luke Kennard set to for early next week.
Ian Begley of ESPN.com was first to report the news.
The Knicks, who hold the 8th selection in the upcoming draft are working out two of the purest shooters in the draft.
Malik Monk shot 39.7% from three (104-for-262) in his lone season at Kentucky while Kennard hit 43.8% of his attempts from distance (88-for-201).
Monk is a bit undersized as a 6’3 shooting guard and scouts worry about his ability to defend at with high efficiency at the NBA level but displayed a unique ability to hit long range shots and has a quick trigger allowing him to get his shot over larger defenders. Monk mostly played off ball as the 2 guard but can run the point in spurts.
Monk is considered a top ten prospect in the draft and according to multiple outlets, the Knicks have interest in his ability.
Kennard will be a reach at 8 but will be available later in the first round. Early draft rumors were the Knicks and Portland Trailblazers were in talks about making a potential trade.
Portland holds the 15th, 20th, and 26th selection the draft.
Kennard has good size at 6’6 and his strengths are his shooting ability and a high basketball IQ. Kennard showed an uncanny ability to score in different ways and put together one of the more efficient seasons in college basketball this past year. Kennard finished with a .489/.438/.856 slash lin.
A significant jump from his freshman year to his sophomore season.
The Knicks were also said to be high on prospects Dennis Smith Jr and Frank Ntilikina. More to come on those prospects.
Either Monk or Kennard will provide a significant upgrade in talent to the Knicks 2 guard position were Courtney Lee, Justin Holiday and Ron Baker received a majority of the minutes.
Wingspan Sports 