The New York Knicks hired Leon Rose, who was a longtime agent with CAA, to run their front office earlier this year and Bill Simmons of The Ringer suggests people around the league are monitoring the possibility of former Kentucky players could be funneled to the franchise.

Rose also hired William Wesley for a role in the front office, who was his colleague at CAA.

"There's also a real fear in the NBA," said Bill Simmons. "I'm fine talking about this. It's rumor, heresy stuff. But it's just a fact. Kentucky, Worldwide Wes had a great relationship with John Calipari. CAA's got multiple Kentucky guys and there's a real fear in the league that the Knicks are going to become the Kentucky pipeline team.

"Devin Booker is a great example of that, right? Even though he's on a big deal right now, at some point if he wanted to move out of there...

"The league is kind of watching the Kentucky factor with that team.

"I think even [Anthony] Davis, if the Lakers hadn't won the title this year, who knows? Right? Are we positive he would have stayed? I don't know. All of the signs, all of the dialogue was like 'LeBron and him love each other'. But who knows what would have happened?

"That Knicks thing is intriguing," replied Kevin O'Connor. 

"Also, if you're the Kentucky pipeline team, that's a good thing because that's the one true pipeline we have right now. All the Kentucky guys know each other, like each other. Every year they have top dudes."

Kentucky has the most former players currently in the NBA.

"All this stuff, follow the breadcrumbs. Rich Paul and Klutch, the same thing. The agents carry a lot more sway than people think."

The New York Knicks are reportedly open to trading for "undesirable contracts" in order to acquire assets, sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

The Knicks could have more than $60 million of cap space this offseason depending on what they do with several player options.

NBA teams are still waiting for a final number on next season's cap, with that information expected later this week.

SNY adds that there is no consensus on whether the Knicks will look to compete next season or play for the 2021 draft.

The Knicks have been linked with trades for Chris Paul, Victor Oladipo, and Russell Westbrook thus far. 

The New York Knicks are reportedly in regular contact with people around Devin Vassell and are collecting "a ton" on the Florida State sophomore, according to teams monitoring Vassell's situation.

Vassell averaged 12.7 points and 5.1 rebounds last season.

He is currently ranked No. 11 in ESPN's Best Available, with the Knicks having the eighth pick in the upcoming draft.

In regards to a video posted recently showing Vassell's shooting form, Florida State assistant CY Young said that the player has not altered his shot.

“Because he’s shooting from so far back, he’s sling-shotting it from over his head. Because it’s way deep. It was a (mess around) half-court shot. He always had kind of a high release but he hasn’t changed his shot. He doesn’t bring it back that far. He has not changed his shot at all," said Young.

Vassell shot over 41% from 3 in his college career.

BYU senior Yoeli Childs reportedly made a "strong impression" on the New York Knicks during his interview, sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

Childs is currently projected in the early to mid-second round, and has been impressing teams that are drafting within that region.

The 6-foot-8 Childs averaged 22 points and 9.7 rebound last season.

The Knicks have the 38th pick in the second round.

The New York Knicks selected RJ Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 draft and he figures into the team's calculus for how they approach the 2020 offseason.

"One other note on the offseason approach: several people in touch with decision-makers at MSG say they expect that the Knicks will take a player’s fit with/impact on RJ Barrett into account when considering a potential move."

The Knicks have been linked with a potential trade for Russell Westbrook or Chris Paul this offseason.

New York also is believed to have LaMelo Ball at the top of their draft board.

The New York Knicks have Killian Hayes ranked behind LaMelo Ball on their point guard board for the upcoming NBA Draft, sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post.

The Knicks, who have the No. 8 pick in the draft, won't necessarily draft Hayes if he is available.

The team was reportedly looking to draft a point guard, though Leon Rose is now flexible on position.

Hayes will do a private, in-person workout for the Knicks.

The Knicks are also interested in trading down should Ball or James Wiseman be off the board, according to sources.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said that the New York Knicks are doing their homework on Isaac Okoro.

The 19-year-old Okoro averaged 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in his freshman year at Auburn.

Okoro ranked in the 86th percentile in points per possession and in the 80th percentile in points per possession in transitions according to the NBA. 

“They’ve talked to strength coaches, trainers, assistant coaches – they’ve done their homework. And they’ve liked Isaac from the jump,” said Pearl.

Pearl then compared Okoro's game with Andre Iguodala.

“He’s quick enough to keep point guards out of the paint – he can really move his feet. And if he has to get switched on to a center, he can chest him up.

That’s rare. Sometimes, he reminded me of Andre Iguodala with the way he impacted games," added Pearl.

Okoro is currently ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the draft by ESPN.

Carmelo Anthony could join the New York Knicks should Chris Paul get traded to the team, sources told Marc Berman of the New York Post. 

Paul has been a frequently rumored target for the Knicks, with the Thunder preferring a potential deal to include Kevin Knox. 

Both Anthony and Paul were represented by current Knicks president Leon Rose.

Sources added that Rose would be open to signing Anthony even without Paul. 

The New York Knicks could be interested in a potential trade for Russell Westbrook this offseason if he becomes available, according to some agents who spoke with Ian Begley of SNY.tv.

Westbrook viewed New York as a welcome landing spot in 2019 when the Oklahoma City Thunder pursued a trade of him.

Westbrook has three seasons and $132 million remaining on his contract with the Houston Rockets.

Kira Lewis Jr. has completed two Zoom interviews with the Phoenix Suns, sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

The Suns currently have the No. 10 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Knicks, who own the No. 8 pick, have also interviewed Lewis.

The 19-year-old Lewis is currently projected to be the 14th pick in the draft, according to The Athletic.