According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the New York Knicks will work out a draft prospect they see as a potential Jae Crowder type.
Phil Jackson had a chance to trade for Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder back in 2014 and didn’t pull the trigger. He told Charley Rosen in Aug. 2016 it was his biggest mistake as New York Knicks president. Since then, Crowder has been linked to the Knicks in trade talks for Carmelo Anthony.The Knicks weren’t able to land Crowder, but ESPN’s Ian Begley reports the team is working out a draft prospect who they view as a “potential Jae Crowder type.”
His name is Deonte Burton and he’s interesting. Per Begley, “scouts like Burton’s wingspan (6-11.5)” and the fact “that he can defend multiple positions well.”
Burton, 25, played two years at Marquette before transferring and playing two years at Iowa State. DraftExpress ranks him as their 98th best prospect in their top 100. Being older and undersized, he’s just 6’4″ but projects as a power forward, means he likely won’t be drafted.
The Knicks should have a chance to sign him after the draft as a UFA. They did well in that area last year.
