Knicks Rumors: Latest Draft Buzz Surrounding Trae Young, Mo Bamba and More

The 2018 NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, so the New York Knicks now know where they will be picking come June 21.

What they don't know, however, is who will still be on the board when they go on the clock. Fortunately, there are a number of candidates being linked to the team early on—and that includes some of the biggest names in the draft class.

Below is a list of players who have been connected to the Knicks thus far in the pre-draft process.

Trae Young

While the likes of Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic are viewed as the leading candidates to be the No. 1 overall pick, there may be no more intriguing prospect than Trae Young.

Last season, the former Oklahoma Sooner became the first player to lead the nation in scoring (27.9 points per game) and assists (8.7) in a single season. He had nine games with 30-plus points, including four 40-point specials.

His game reminds many of then-Davidson Wildcat Stephen Curry. Like Curry, though, Young could be off the board by the time the Knicks pick. If he is still indeed available, he would welcome the opportunity to play in New York.

Ray Young, Trae's father, made it clear to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy that his son is not afraid of the big stage:

"That's what Trae lives for. He lives for that type of stuff. Just think about it: He's probably the most talked about, most publicized kid in this draft and he's been through it all. Trae's been scrutinized to the point that he has thick skin. None of that stuff is going to bother him. He was like the darling of college basketball for three months, and then the last month-and-a-half he turned into a bad guy, for some reason.

"So for him to be in a market like New York and understand that it's all about winning—and if you don't win, there'll be some scrutiny—he's already been through it."

Per Bondy, the Knicks are scheduled to interview Young on Friday.

Whether Young winds up in New York remains to be seen. For starters, eight teams would have to pass on him. New York would then have to be willing to take a point guard, one year after taking Frank Ntilikina No. 8 overall, instead of addressing bigger needs.

Mohamed Bamba

Like Young, it would not be surprising if former Texas Longhorns star Mohamed Bamba was off the board before the Knicks had a chance at him. That being said, he wouldn't be opposed to playing close to home.

The Harlem product recently went on ESPN's The Jump and addressed the possibility of playing his home games at Madison Square Garden:

"That's funny. I didn't know the Knicks were in contention to be the No. 1 pick. It honestly would mean the world to me—I grew up watching the Knicks. I watched the Knicks when they were at their worst, and I would always root for them because it's always been in my heart. It would be awesome, you know. I live three train stops from there."

In his first and only season in Austin, Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. That type of production should have the 6'11", 225-pound center high on many teams' draft boards.

Mikal Bridges

One name Knicks fans should keep an eye on, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, is Mikal Bridges.

Bridges helped the Villanova Wildcats cut down the nets in two of his three seasons. Last season was the best of his college career, averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. 

NBA scouts have to be impressed by his ability to consistently knock down shots from all around the court. The 6'6", 210-pound guard-forward shot 84.5 percent from the line and 52.5 percent from the floor during his career. Most notably, he shot a career-high 43.5 percent from three-point range in his final season, while also more than doubling his previous high in triples attempted.

2018 NCAA Championship Game hero Donte DiVincenzo told the New York Post's Marc Berman that he believes any NBA franchise would be lucky to have his former Villanova teammate:

"I think he's top five, personally—as a character person and what he brings to an organization. He brings a lot of talent, a lot of potential and a lot of upside people haven't even seen yet. I know his work ethic and know what kind of person he is. He absolutely has potential to be an All-Star and a great player for a long time."

With Ntilikina at the point and Kristaps Porzingis providing length, Bridges appears to be a good fit in New York. He provides the ability to shoot from the perimeter, rebound and play solid defense.