8. New York Knicks – Killian Hayes, G
The mecca of basketball, New York is starving for a star player to put on a Knicks uniform. The team hasn’t been relevant since Carmelo Anthony – and they weren’t exactly a powerhouse during their time with him either. In all honesty, it’s been decades since the Knicks were title contenders and this has left the franchise desperate to find a franchise cornerstone.
This makes them much more likely to draft a player like Killian Hayes, who is seen as high-risk, high-reward by scouts. Hayes has upside as an offensive threat who can score in a number of ways. He is skilled at creating his own shot and has shown flares of potential as a playmaker.
In contrast, Hayes may never make the leap as a 3-point shooter. Furthermore, his lack of athleticism could hinder his ability to blow-by defenders. This is a risk the Knicks would be willing to take of course as finding a star player is at the top of their list.
Hayes would have to share the backcourt with Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina but it wouldn’t take long for him to steal the show if he lives up to his pre-draft hype.