Report: Knicks 'enamored' with Kentucky's Trey Lyles

With top big-man prospects Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor expected to be off the board by the time the New York Knicks make the fourth selection in the 2015 draft, the team may go somewhat off the board themselves in their quest for a big man.

Citing a team source, the New York Daily News' Frank Isola reports the Knicks "have been enamored" with Towns's Kentucky teammate Trey Lyles for months, with Phil Jackson coming away from a Kentucky practice impressed by the forward.

While Lyles is considered a surefire first-round pick, the Saskatoon, Sask. native - who's represented both the U.S. and Canada internationally - isn't expected to hear his name called until the middle of the first round.

Perhaps the Knicks will produce the first shock of the night by changing that, although if they really do have their sights set on Lyles, they'll likely be able to trade down to select him.

Lyles, a 6-foot-9, 241-pounder, averaged 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 23 minutes per game during his freshman season with the Wildcats. The 19-year-old is a skilled passer and ball handler for his size with a good offensive touch inside, but he may also be the classic "tweener" who doesn't adequately fit into one of the two forward positions.

Earlier this week, the Knicks were reportedly "looking strongly" at another Kentucky big man - the more highly touted Willie Cauley-Stein - with the fourth pick.