There seems to be a strong mutual interest between the New York Knicks and G League Ignite’s MarJon Beauchamp.
After sizing up potential lottery picks Malaki Branham, Beauchamp’s teammate Dyson Daniels and TyTy Washington in a competitive workout, the Knicks brought Beauchamp for a solo workout over the weekend.
Beauchamp, who profiles as a rangy wing who popped out with his explosiveness and defensive energy in the G League, believes he’s in consideration for the Knicks pick at No. 11.
“I shot the ball very well, they said and knew that,” Beauchamp said in Friday’s pre-draft zoom call. “I feel like I’m in consideration with them.”
Beauchamp’s draft stock is all over the place, from No. 19 (Bleacher Report) to No. 26 (The Athletic) in major mock drafts. So he could be a reach at No. 11, and the Knicks could be preparing to trade down as they did in last year’s draft if they missed out on trading up for Purdue’s Jaden Ivey.
At times, he was impressive on both sides of the ball for the Ignite. He averaged 15.1 points and 1.5 steals over 34.6 minutes per game. He was also a strong rebounder with 6.5 rebounds per game and was a willing passer (2 assists).
After the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics laid out the new blueprint — switch-heavy schemes — for success in the NBA, Beauchamp could become a hot commodity come Thursday’s NBA Draft.
The 21-year-old Beauchamp has all the tools — 6’6.5 in shoes with a solid 197-pound frame and a 7’0.75 wingspan — to become a defensive lynchpin in the NBA. It’s a role that he envisions for himself to have a long NBA career.
“I think I can come in right away and play good minutes and learn from the vets that they have. I really, really feel I can grow with that team, especially on the defensive side,” Beauchamp said. “You know, with coach Thibs (Tom Thibodeau), he’s about defense, and I feel like that’s going to be my role in the NBA.”
“I feel like I can stay in the NBA long enough if I keep getting better at the defensive side, knocking down corner three shots, and grow from there.”
Thibodeau went all out in welcoming the G League Ignite prospect to New York. Beauchamp said Thibodeau and team president Leon Rose led the Knicks party who took him out to dinner.
“The feedback was good,” Beauchamp said. “I went out to dinner with them, and [they] just try and get to know me, and they know I could play. So, it was great feedback.”
Beauchamp was one of the prospects who received an invitation to the Green Room on Thursday, a great sign that he will likely be selected in the first round.
Aside from the Knicks, Beauchamp also worked out with Atlanta Hawks (16), Houston Rockets (3, 17 and 26 from Dallas), Memphis Grizzlies (22 from Utah and 29), Chicago Bulls (18), Cleveland Cavaliers (14), New Orleans Pelicans (8 from Lakers), San Antonio Spurs (9, 20 from Toronto and 25 from Boston), Charlotte Hornets (13), and Washington Wizards (10).
Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo