The New York Knicks have the third overall pick in what is considered a three-player draft, so there should not be anything shocking about their selection. Zion Williamson is obviously going to the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 1, which leaves the Knicks to take either Ja Morant or RJ Barrett at their spot.
Unless they don’t.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reports that the Knicks are giving “serious consideration” to drafting former Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland third overall. Garland has been recovering from knee surgery he had in November, and he has apparently looked impressive in workouts.
Darius Garland will conduct a last-minute workout in Tarrytown with the New York Knicks tomorrow, a source told ESPN. Garland is in serious consideration for the No. 3 pick. Minnesota, Boston, Chicago are teams looking at potentially trading up to No. 4 with Garland in mind.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 18, 2019
Source: Garland is back at 100% after his knee surgery in November and will be ready to play summer league, pending approval from the team that drafts him. Garland has had a number of impressive private workouts recently with the LA Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 18, 2019
Garland, who averaged 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game prior to suffering a meniscus injury, recently declared himself the best guard in the draft. That is a bold statement considering Morant averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game in his sophomore season at Murray State last year, but perhaps the Knicks are buying it.
One of Garland’s other workouts this week was heavily attended by a team picking in the top five, so he is generating plenty of buzz. Still, it would be a surprise if the Knicks took him at No. 3.
