The Knicks‘ workout with Kentucky’s Malik Monk this week will be private, according to Ian Begley of ESPN.com. Projected as a high to mid-lottery pick, Monk has already worked out for the Suns, who own the fourth selection, and Magic, who have No. 6. New York’s front office is giving serious consideration to Monk at No. 8, along with French point guard Frank Ntilikina and North Carolina State point guard Dennis Smith, Begley notes. Smith had a session scheduled with the Knicks this week, but wound up having dinner with team president Phil Jackson and didn’t participate in a workout.
There’s more draft news as June 22nd approaches:
- Shooting specialist Luke Kennard of Duke also has a private workout scheduled for the Knicks, Begley adds in the same piece. Kennard may have pushed himself into the top 12 with his performance in pre-draft workouts, including CAA’s event last weekend in Los Angeles, according to Begley, who adds that the Knicks would like to trade for another first-rounder and may be targeting Kennard if that happens. New York has discussed a deal with the Trail Blazers, who hold picks 15, 20 and 26. The Pistons have expressed a willingness to swap the 12th selection for veteran help, and Begley believes the Knicks have reached out to them.
- Kennard is part of a high-profile group to work out for the Pistons today, tweets Keith Langlois of MLive. He is joined by Duke’s Harry Giles, Wake Forest’s John Collins and Kentucky’s Isaac Humphries. Teams are permitted to bring in up to six players at a time, but Detroit is having difficulty getting players to visit because it doesn’t own a second-round pick (Twitter link). Kennard told reporters he has upcoming sessions with the Magic, Knicks, Mavericks and Hornets, who all pick before the Pistons. (Twitter link).
- Ntilikina, Collins and Jarrett Allen of Texas have been added to the list of green room invites for draft night, according to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress. That brings the total to 13, with more invitations to be extended Monday.
- Creighton’s Justin Patton held his first pre-draft workout this week for the Trail Blazers, tweets Joe Freeman of The Oregonian. He also plans to visit the Nuggets, Pistons, Hornets, Heat and maybe the Thunder.
- Wisconsin’s Bronson Koenig will work out for the Clippers Monday, Begley posts on ESPN Now. He has a session later in the week with the Rockets.
- Georgetown’s L.J. Peak had a workout with the Sixers this week, tweets Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly. He has future sessions set up with the Hawks, Nets, Knicks, Celtics, Spurs, Wizards and Suns.
- Vanderbilt’s Luke Kornet worked out for the Knicks this week, relays Marc Berman of The New York Post. He also had workouts for the Kings, Celtics, Suns and Jazz.
- Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. has worked out for the Pistons, Kings, Wizards, Magic and Rockets, with more on the schedule, tweets Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype.
If Charlotte could find a way to get another first round pick and get kennard that would address a big need of a knock down shooter and a secondary ball handler
I think Charlotte takes Justin Jackson, and Detroit takes Kennard at 12
Kennard would also fit their model of drafting good white college basketball players
Luke Kennard is not a 12th pick player. He’s more in the 18 to 22 range. He can do a lot of things pretty well but nothing exceptional.
He’s not comparable to JJ Redick’s xlnt jump shot, but he might be a better ball handler and passer.
Originally, I agreed with that, but he had a good combine, and since then, workout reports have been really good. Looking at what’s there. 12 is pretty much where I think he goes
Could be especially if a team draft for need and they need a guy like him. We’ll see how it plays out.
I like going to summer league to see how guys perform at the level one higher than College. Then it’s a whole nother story in training camp and year one in the big time.
He’s probably smart enough to figure it out. But I think 18-22 is where he belongs.
At 12 you can get a pretty darn good Prospect who is 6-9 and flies up and down the floor and has great skill.
Shooting is increasing in value so he might be 18-22 in years past but his skillset is more valuable now
Kennard def doesn’t fall below Milwaukee at 17. No chance. Dude can score. He’s not just a shooter. JJ Reddick is literally only a shooter. Kennard falls more into the scorer category. And given the chance will b a quality starter or a fantastic instant offense 6th man