Knicks Eyeing Draft Prospect RJ Hampton

New York won four of seven before the NBA suspended the season, placing the team in the No. 6 spot in our Reverse Standings. If they don’t move up higher in the NBA draft lottery, the Knicks will have interest in selecting RJ Hampton, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post.

Hampton skipped the traditional post-high school route to the NBA, opting for the Australian NBL over the NCAA. Some around the game believe the 6’5″ guard is a top-10 player in the draft.

“I’ve watched him since eighth grade because he’s a Dallas kid,’’ said ESPN ‘s Fran Fraschilla said, as Berman relays. “He left the U.S. a top-10 to -20 prospect. He came home a top-10 to -20 prospect. He’s an NBA athlete but could be a project. I don’t know if he was as good as the hype accorded him when he left.”

Not everyone is as bullish on Hampton. One source told Berman that the youngster could fall into the back third of the first round as a result of teams not having a normal pre-draft process to evaluate talent. It’s worth noting that the Knicks have a second first-rounder, courtesy of the Clippers via the Marcus Morris deal. It currently projects to be the No. 27 overall pick.

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