CHICAGO โ Dyson Daniels, the intriguing 6-foot-8 Australian prospect from the G-League Ignite, considers himself more a point guard but also views himself more a defensive player.
Which is why the Knicks seem extremely interested, interviewing the 19-year-old Daniels on Wednesday at the leagueโs combine. The Knicks need a point guard after the Kemba Walker/Derrick Rose failure. And they need more of a defensive presence.
โItโs always been my strength, playing 1 through 4 on defense,โโ Daniels said Thursday. โA lot of teams now have two, three defenders on the floor at all times โ looking at Boston in the playoffs and Miami as well. But Iโm a two-way player, able to play on both sides of the ball.โโ
Though heโs from a rural town in Australia, where his father played pro ball after graduating from N.C. State, Daniels is eager to test the big city. He turned down offers from Houston, Colorado and N.C. State to play for the G-League Ignite.
โIโm definitely looking at [the Knicks],โโ Daniels said. โItโs definitely a possibility. Itโs too early to say on anything like that.
โThereโs a lot of people in that room. I talked to everyone about their experience and what it would be like. They asked me questions. I asked them questions. Obviously New York is a tough place to play in and itโs a big place but Iโd be ready for whatever team Iโd play on.โโ
Daniels needs to work on his 3-point shot (30 percent in the G-League) but is considered a playmaking guard whose ballhandling improved as the season carried on.
โItโs a tough one for me because I have such a unique game,โโ Daniels said of his NBA comparison. โI have a very good offensive game but Iโm a good defender. On the offensive end I play a little like Tyrese Haliburton, someone in control. I feel on the defensive end Iโm like Lonzo Ball and…