Former Duke forward RJ Barrett wants to play for the Knicks, but New York may not want him.
The Knicks are bringing in Darius Garland for a last-minute workout, according to ESPN, and New York is seriously considering taking the guard at No. 3.
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
This workout is so late in the process, Garland will miss the NBA Draft media session at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday the day before the event.
Barrett has already worked out with the Knicks and has repeatedly stated he wants to be in New York.
"If that ends up and I'm still there at three, I'd love for them to take me," Barrett told reporters last week, via SNY. "This is the place I want to be, so I hope they draft me."
R.J. Barrett won't be meeting with any other teams, and says that he wants to be a Knick:
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 10, 2019
"This is the place I want to be, I hope they draft me" pic.twitter.com/E1i11C1C17
It was also reported in May the Knicks preferred point guard Ja Morant over RJ Barrett at No. 3. However, the Grizzlies have reportedly locked in on Morant at No. 2, so it does not appear the Murray State guard will be available for New York to take.
That could also explain why the Knicks are considering taking Garland at No. 3. The team has been searching for a point guard for a few years now as they drafted Frank Ntilikina and acquired Emmanuel Mudiay from the Nuggets and Dennis Smith Jr. from the Mavericks.
The team is clearly searching for their floor general and doesn't appear to be enamored with what is has.
Garland averaged 16.2 points and 3.8 rebounds for Vanderbilt this season but he played just five games after suffering a meniscus injury against Kent State in November.
The 19-year-old was a five-star recruit coming out of Tennessee in 2018. He was the No. 14 player in the nation, according to 247sports, and the No. 2 point guard.
