Knicks Think Markelle Fultz 'Better Fit With The Triangle' Than Lonzo Ball (Report)
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, the New York Knicks prefer Markelle Fultz over Lonzo Ball because they feel he’s a better fit in the triangle.

When New York Knicks president Phil Jackson attended the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago last week, he spoke to the draft’s top prospect: Markelle Fultz. The Knicks have a 5.3 percent chance at landing the No. 1 pick, and Fultz, but Jackson wanted to put in time with the star player.

It all makes sense now. Like every team in this draft, the Knicks like Fultz and point guard rival Lonzo Ball. According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, New York prefers Fultz, and you’ll probably be able to guess why.

Via ESPN:

Landing Fultz or Ball (the Knicks prefer Fultz because of his better fit with the triangle) would immediately change the whole narrative in New York.

That’s right the Knicks like Fultz as a fit in the triangle offense. That thing just won’t go away. The 18-year-old attended a Knicks game in April and told reporters “it would be amazing” to be drafted by the Knicks.

Fultz elaborated, saying he believes he can play in the triangle offense or any system for that matter.

“I think I could play in any system,” Fultz said. “I’m very versatile so it was cool to see that. It’s a lot of openings and stuff like that so that’s why I came to see that in person.”

Fultz is considered the No. 1 prospect by pretty much everyone, so the thought that the Knicks are prioritizing him over Ball isn’t revolutionary. The only remarkable detail about this development is that Ball seemed like more of a fit for the triangle.

Ball is a pass first true point guard. Fultz is a playmaker and a scorer, not necessarily in that order.

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.