Even as the Knicks continue to evaluate prospects and prepare for potential scenarios leading up to Thursday's NBA Draft, RJ Barrett still stands as their most likely choice.

The former Duke star has been considered the presumptive third overall pick ever since the draft lottery, and Barrett has made it clear he wants to be with the Knicks, the only team he's worked out for.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski believes the Knicks would be good landing spot.

"RJ will flourish in New York," Krzyzewski said Tuesday during a Town Hall edition of his SiriusXM radio show. "He wants to be here."

Barrett was the top-rated recruit in the country coming out of high school and he was projected as the best player available in this year's draft.

That all changed when Zion Williamson burst onto the scene, establishing himself with a rare combination of size, speed and explosiveness while becoming essentially a lock to be drafted first overall by the Pelicans.

Williamson overshadowed Barrett, but Barrett never expressed frustration or resentment because of that.

"What says a lot about him is his relationship with Zion," Krzyzewski said on the show, which is scheduled to air Tuesday at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the NBA Radio channel, and Thursday at 6 p.m. on ESPNU Radio. "You know, the two of them could [have been] very jealous of one another, envious. [Instead] they became brothers. Literally. They love one another."

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The 6-foot-7 Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three-point range.

While he might be biased, Krzyzewski believes Barrett would be an impact player in the NBA immediately.

"This kid is a multi-dimensional player," Krzyzewski said. "He would start right away. He has the potential to be a double-double guy. He's a great defensive rebounder, and if he gets the defensive rebound he can push, and he can play one through four. Because he can pass too. As he grows, there'll be times in this kid's career where the triple-double will happen more than once."

There is a chance Barrett ends up on a team other than the Knicks.

While the Grizzlies have reportedly been planning to take former Murray State guard Ja Morant with the second pick, they could draft Barrett instead. Morant recently underwent knee surgery.

And then there's the chance the Pelicans move up to draft Barrett and pair him back up with Williamson.

ESPN reported the Knicks will hold a pre-draft workout with Darius Garland on Wednesday, a sign that they could be open to the possibility of trading down if the right opportunity presented itself.

Krzyzewski said he's talked to the Knicks about Barrett, but acknowledged Barrett could land elsewhere.

"Some of these guys are really coveted by other teams," Krzyzewski said. "So they could throw packages up there for the Knicks to take a look at."

But this has long been considered a top-heavy draft with Williamson, Morant and Barrett the top-three options before the talent level falls off.

That means there's a good chance Barrett ends up wearing blue and orange.

His former coach believes the Knicks would be getting a high-level player.

"He's a star," Krzyzewski said. "There's no question. Beautiful, beautiful kid."

Email: iseman@northjersey.com