Phil Jackson reportedly was falling 'in and out of sleep' at a workout for one of the top NBA draft prospects

Julie Jacobson/AP

The New York Knicks reportedly have tarnished their image around the NBA by dangling their stars in trades, and Phil Jackson may not have helped during pre-draft workouts.

According to ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Williams, one draft prospect projected to go in the top 15 told him that Jackson was falling "in and out of sleep" during his workout.

"A top 15 draft pick told me the other day, because we were involved in this conversation about Phil Jackson and the Knicks," Williams said on ESPN on Thursday, "and he said, 'Phil Jackson was falling in and out of sleep during my workout.'"

ESPN's Bob Ley reacted with surprise to the statement and Williams reiterated the story.

The Knicks have the eighth pick in the draft on Thursday, and many project them to take either Kentucky guard Malik Monk or French guard Frank Ntilikina. Presumably, Jackson and the Knicks were awake to watch them work out.

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See Also:

• Former NBA player who's written about managing finances shares what draft prospects should know about handling life in the league

• Phil Jackson's bizarre wars with his best players are turning the Knicks into a 'last resort' for free agents

• It is sounding more and more like Kristaps Porzingis could be traded on Thursday