LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 20: Tyrese Hailburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates a shot during a second round game of Maui Invitational college basketball game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 20, 2018 in Lahaina Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NY Knicks interview Tyrese Haliburton, Kira Lewis Jr.
The New York Knicks continue to interview prospects ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft.
On a Zoom call with various reporters, 6-5 Iowa State guard and potential lottery pick, Tyrese Hailburton confirmed that he’s conducted a virtual interview with the New York Knicks, along with the Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons.
Haliburton is a 6-foot-5 point guard who is largely considered to be one of the Top 3 point guards in the 2020 NBA Draft. He just finished his sophomore year at Iowa State, where he averaged 15.2 points/game, 5.9 rebounds/game, 6.5 assists/game, and 2.5 steals/game in the coronavirus-shortened campaign.
It’s not a coincidence that the Detroit Pistons expressed interest in Hailburton. The Pistons have the 7th pick in the NBA Draft, one pick ahead of the Knicks. Haliburton grew up in Wisconsin, so playing in Detroit would be somewhat close to home.
Knicks also met with Kira Lewis Jr.
Ian Begley reports the Knicks recently spoke to Alabama point guard Kira Lewis Jr, as stated on the recent episode of his show The Putback on SNY.
Lewis, like Haliburton, also finished his sophomore season, but is only 19 years old entering the draft. The 6’3 point guard out of Alabama made waves during the season with his speed and driving ability as a point guard. He was long considered a dark horse lottery pick, but could be a candidate toward the middle of the first round.
New York has three picks in the upcoming draft. If they keep all of their picks, they will select 8th overall, as well as 27th overall (in a pick obtained in the Marcus Morris trade), and 38th overall.
While the NBA Draft Combine will be “re-imagined” this season, teams continue to meet with prospects using virtual settings, such as Zoom calls. The draft is currently set for November 18, but has been rescheduled twice, and could find a new date depending on how the pandemic impacts the NBA schedule.
