The New York Knicks are days away from a championship parade that’s expected to shut down Manhattan and unleash five decades of pent-up celebration. But inside the team’s practice facility, the vibe wasn’t all champagne and confetti.
According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Knicks held a pre-draft workout Sunday for a group of prospects — including Duke guard Isaiah Evans — just hours after the team’s red-eye return from San Antonio. The timing says a lot about how this front office operates: even with a title in hand, they’re not hitting pause.
Why Evans Fits the Knicks’ Blueprint
Evans, a 6-foot-6 wing, averaged 15.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists during his sophomore season at Duke. In ClutchPoints’ latest mock draft, analyst Brett Siegel projected Evans to go No. 26 overall to the Denver Nuggets — but the Knicks hold picks at No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55 and could easily leapfrog Denver to snag him.
Siegel described Evans as one of the most NBA-ready prospects in this class, particularly for a playoff-caliber team. “He can join a playoff-level team and contribute right away as a knockdown shooter on the wing,” Siegel wrote, drawing a stylistic comparison to Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith.
If that scouting report holds, Evans would slide into a Knicks backcourt that already features Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Jose Alvarado, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Kolek, and Pacome Diadet. It’s a crowded room, but a shooter of Evans’ caliber rarely falls to the late first round without a reason.
What the Mock Drafts Say
Siegel’s mock had the Knicks taking Kentucky center Jayden Quaintance at No. 24, with Iowa State guard Joshua Jefferson at No. 31 and Tennessee State guard Aaron Nkrumah at No. 55. That scenario leaves Evans off New York’s board entirely — but the workout suggests the team is at least doing its due diligence.
It’s worth noting that pre-draft workouts often serve as smoke screens as much as genuine evaluations. But the fact that the Knicks scheduled one at all during a historic championship week tells you they’re not treating the draft as an afterthought.
The Bigger Picture
New York hasn’t exactly been quiet this offseason. The front office has already made moves to restock, and with three picks in next week’s draft, they have flexibility to trade up, trade down, or package picks for a veteran. Evans — or a player like him — could be the kind of low-risk, high-reward addition that keeps a championship window open longer than expected.
For now, the focus remains on Thursday’s parade. But behind the scenes, the Knicks are already thinking about June 2026. And that’s exactly how dynasties are built.
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