New York Knicks: Way-too-early top five prospects in 2020 NBA Draft by Rob Wolkenbrod

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The New York Knicks dipped into the undrafted free agent pool and signed three players.

The 2019 NBA Draft was active for the New York Knicks, as RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikis became their picks in the first and second rounds, respectively. That did not end their draft night, however.

After the 60th pick was called, the Knicks signed a trio of undrafted free agents, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Stadium and The Athletic’s Shams Charania and The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov.

The first was Kris Wilkes, who signed a two-way contract. He replaces the outgoing Isaiah Hicks, while Kadeem Allen‘s deal runs through 2019-20 as the other player on this limited type of agreement.

Wilkes spent two years at UCLA, most recently averaging 17.4 points per game. His lack of outside shooting may have contributed to not being selected, but there is potential given his athleticism and seven-foot wingspan to make an impact. That chance will happen in Westchester and with the NBA squad on occasion.

UCLA forward Kris Wilkes will sign a two-way deal with the New York Knicks, league sources tell ESPN. — Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) June 21, 2019

VJ King was the next player to sign. While he started 36 games for Louisville in 2017-18, that number dipped to just five and at 13.7 minutes per appearance for 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds. He also shot below 40 percent from the field.

However, King was a former five-star recruit out of high school, and New York can see if he taps into that once-heralded potential.

Sources: Louisville’s VJ King has agreed to an undrafted free-agent deal with the New York Knicks. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2019

Amir Hinton signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Knicks, which will eventually let him join their G League team later this year. Playing at Division II Shaw University, Hinton averaged 29.4 points per game this past season.

Sources: Division II Shaw University’s Amir Hinton has agreed to an undrafted free-agent deal with the New York Knicks. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2019

Hinton has an exhibit 10 contract, according to a league source. Pistons showed a lot of interest too. https://t.co/PQ1avGvxyD — Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) June 21, 2019

These players should receive their first chance to impress in the summer league, which starts in July, along with, potentially, Barrett and Brazdeikis. Second-year players Mitchell Robinson, Allonzo Trier and Kevin Knox could join them and provide an intriguing look at New York’s young players.

More higher-profile signings will happen when free agency starts, but these pick-ups and the draft selections tease the future of the franchise.