Report: Knicks interested in Bamba, exploring trade for Memphis' No. 4 pick

The New York Knicks are interested in moving up in Thursday's draft to select Mohamed Bamba and are exploring a deal to acquire the Memphis Grizzlies' No. 4 pick to do so, according to ESPN's Ian Begley and Jonathan Givony.

Bamba's draft stock has been steadily increasing after the 7-foot-1 center, who has an enormous 7-foot-10 wingspan, impressed teams throughout the interview process. The Texas product is projected to land within the top five.

Memphis has shown interest in giving up its fourth overall pick if it can ship Chandler Parsons' contract with it, Givony reports. The perpetually injured seven-year pro has two seasons and north of $49 million remaining on the deal.

Bamba and fellow projected top-five pick Jaren Jackson Jr. have reportedly shown little to no interest in being selected by the Grizzlies. Both players are said to have refused to work out for Memphis and were unwilling to give the team their medical histories ahead of the draft.

If the Knicks, who currently own the No. 9 overall pick, are able to select Bamba, they'll have a potential franchise center with 3-point range who's capable of becoming the league's best shot-blocker. He and elite big man Kristaps Porzingis, who stands 7-3, would make up the NBA's biggest frontcourt.