REPORT: The Knicks aren’t interested in drafting UNC guard Cole Anthony early in first round

Former UNC point guard Cole Anthony is on the radar of many Knicks fans. He’s a local boy, the son of former Knick Greg Anthony, and was a bonafide real hooper in high school. Sadly for the Anthony stans, the Knicks don’t appear to be all that interested in selecting the combo guard with the No. 8 overall pick, per Marc Berman:

The Knicks are leaning against taking the Manhattan point guard with the No. 8 pick, or even if they trade down into the 14-15-range, according to an industry source.

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If Anthony falls to No. 27, the Knicks would be interested, however.

It’s refreshing to see that the Knicks’ front office is pondering trade-back scenarios. But even if they move back into the teens, they apparently still wouldn’t select Cole.

And the Knicks are not alone in this regard. Hornets beat writer is hearing that Anthony could fall to the 20s.

And Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman is hearing front office people valuing Cole in the 30s.

Berman reports that the Knicks might still be interested in acquiring a point guard earlier in the first round...just not Cole:

At the start of the college season, the Knicks went into their draft research with scoring point guard as a priority for their expected lottery pick. But after LaMelo Ball, Leon Rose’s group felt there was a drop-off. Killian Hayes, Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton, Alabama’s Kira Lewis and Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey remain on their point-guard radar.

You can check out our profile of Cole Anthony here. Are you scared off by Cole, or would you still draft him? Let us know in the comments.