NBA Rumors: Knicks Looking For Scoring Guard, Sights Set On Ball

The New York Knicks are expected to be one of the teams who will get the first chance at the 2020 NBA Draft. After cleaning house earlier this month, one of their revealed targets is to get a shooting guard in the mix. Among the names swirling are LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton.

In a report from the New York Post, this was reported the instructions given to the Knicks' coaching staff. They own the third-worst scoring offense in the league as of this writing, something New York hopes to remedy in June. But the chance to pick either Ball or Haliburton will depend on how they figure in the lottery. Teams like the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Minnesota Timberwolves have worse records, meaning their draft position is left to chance.

Currently playing in the NBL for the Illawarra Hawks, Ball is seen to be made the top pick of the 2020 NBA Draft. Right now, the 18-year-old brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball is averaging 17 points on 37 percent shooting in 12 games for the Hawks. If their fortunes fall into place, Ball going to Gotham is further backed by the fact that LaMelo Ball is one of CAA agent Leon Rose. Rose is the incoming president of the franchise, SNY.tv reported.

In the event Ball is unavailable by the time they get to pick, Haliburton of Iowa State could be an alternative. The sophomore guard is putting up solid numbers for the Cyclones, averaging 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per ESPN. Also, he owns a better three-point shooting percentage over Ball. Haliburton has been shooting at 36.4 percent from beyond the arc against Ball's 25 percent clip.

Critics feel that the Knicks sorely need someone who can score and help out RJ Barrett. Mitchell Robison and Dennis Smith Jr. are lacking the needed spunk on offense, an area which either Ball or Haliburton can fill. Most of all, they need to get a guy who can grow to become the team's next superstar aside from Barrett.

These flaws are expected to show as the Knicks try to wrap up their current NBA season. They are 17-38 at the All-Star break and the new faces in the mix are not touted to significantly change their trajectory when NBA play resumes.