Dyson Daniels intriguing option for Knicks

CHICAGO — Dyson Daniels, the stunning 6-foot-8 Aussie from the G-League Ignite, sees himself more of a point guard but also more of a defensive player.

Because of that, the Knicks appear extremely interested and interviewed Daniels, 19, at the league’s combine on Wednesday. The Knicks need a point guard after the loss of Kemba Walker/Derrick Rose. And they need more defensive presence.

“Playing 1-4 on defense has always been my forte,” Daniels said Thursday. “A lot of teams now always have two, three defenders on the floor – if you look at Boston in the playoffs and also Miami. But I’m a two-way player who can play on either side of the ball.”

Although he hails from a rural town in Australia where his father played pro ball after graduating from NC State, Daniels is eager to test the big city. He turned down offers from Houston, Colorado and NC State to play for the G-League Ignite.

“I’m definitely watching [the Knicks]’ Daniels said. “It’s definitely a possibility. It’s still too early to say such a thing.

“There are a lot of people in this room. I spoke to everyone about their experiences and what it would be like. They asked me questions. I asked them questions. Of course, New York is a difficult place to play and it’s a big place, but I’d be ready for any team I played on.

Daniels needs to work on his 3-point shot (30 percent in the G-League) but is considered a playmaking guard whose ball handling has improved over the season.

“It’s difficult for me because I have such a unique game,” Daniels said of his NBA comparison. “I have a very good offensive game, but I’m a good defender. On offense I play a bit like Tyrese Haliburton, someone in control. I feel like Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso on defense, people like that. I feel like I have the frame once the game slows down for me and I’m hoping to develop into a Luka Doncic type role.

Well, Doncic might be a stretch, but there’s intrigue. Still, Daniels thinks he could be there by 11 a.m. if the Knicks pick.

“I’m a big point guard at 6-7,” Daniels said. “It’s not difficult to look past smaller defenders. If I get a smaller defender on me, I can go to the post and play down there. I was always a point guard growing up. I’ve had a growth spurt for the past two years. I had the skills of a point guard. With size, that’s an advantage in the NBA.”

Former St. John’s star Julian Champagnie said he had to cancel a practice session with the Nets last week because he contracted COVID-19 and was quarantined in Atlanta. Champagnie, a native of Brooklyn, had just trained for the Hawks. He considers himself a late first-round/second-round pick.