A number of rival executives don’t expect the Knicks to hang onto and use all three of their picks in the top 32 of this year’s draft, says Ian Begley of SNY.tv. New York currently controls the 19th, 21st, and 32nd overall selections, but there’s an expectation that the team will be active on or before draft night rather than standing pat.
“I can’t see them carrying three rookies on the roster (next season),” a member of an opposing team told Begley.
As Begley and Marc Berman of The New York Post observe, the Knicks have been meeting at this week’s combine with a number of prospects who are projected to be drafted in the late lottery, including Florida State’s Scottie Barnes, Duke’s Jalen Johnson, and UConn’s James Bouknight. That could be a hint that the club is mulling the possibility of packaging two or more of its picks in an effort to trade up in the draft.
Of course, as Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (via Twitter), it’s not uncommon for teams picking in the 20s to try to talk to lottery prospects at the combine, since they may not be able to get those players into their building for workouts later in the pre-draft process. As such, it’s probably presumptuous to read too much into a few interviews.
Still, Berman has previously reported that there have been talks within the organization about the possibility of moving up, potentially into the 12-13 range. If the Knicks start bringing in some of those upper-level prospects for workouts in the coming weeks, that would be a stronger sign that the team is seriously considering consolidating some of its draft assets in a trade.
New York could also include one or more of its 2021 draft picks in a deal for a veteran player if the right opportunity arises. The club projects to have plenty of cap room once free agency begins, so trading a pick for a player would be a viable option without having to worry about matching salaries.
The Knicks also hold the No. 58 pick in this year’s draft, but that selection is unlikely to move the needle much as a sweetener in any trade. If New York keeps it, it could be used on a player who would sign a two-way contract.
Bring Bouknight back home. Knicks need an impact guard.
Ha. Every year teams with multiple late first rounders talk about packaging them to move up. It almost never happens. Late first round picks are actually valued lower than early 2nd rounders (because the former come with guaranteed contracts even though they might not otherwise make the team). No one wants to sell their 12 or 13 for multiple picks in the 20’s. Have to add an existing player to interest anyone.
This is why good teams constantly give away their first round picks. If they need bodies they can always buy their way into the 2nd round.
I was going to mention the contracts aspect. Not only are you almost obligated to three rookies on the squad, three first rounders are three guaranteed contracts, as you mentioned. Tough to keep all three, tough to trade them…
I agree with this, but if there ever was a draft where trading anywhere into the top 20 was a wise move, it’s this one.
Salary part also hugely understated. People keep replying to my Wiggins trade proposals as if he makes the league minimum when his contract is the sole reason why GSW would move him. He’s a great 2-way player and helps any team. He also is on about a 2/$65 deal. On a team with 3 other large contracts, a fourth must be the most perfect fit possible, and while Wiggins is good, there are still upgrades out there from him, along with spreading that money among more than one player.
In most drafts this would be true, but the first round is very deep this year and there will still be some good players left in the early to mid twenties.
doesnt that also mean the Knicks would then be best served potentially getting two of said players?
Ha?
Knicks will reunite Lowry and DeRozen with all that cap $$. If for whatever reason they don’t have money for both, then they can use one of those crappy picks in a sign-and-trade
Nice trade idea but I think it’s a guarantee Lowry goes to Philadelphia or Miami.
Still have no idea why Knicks fans want Lowry when you already have Rose.
Why because rose I believe a free agent so they dont Have him unless he resign
I’m not particularly gunning for Lowry (though it would be nice), but having Rose (age, injury history, he’s a free agent) should not preclude them from acquiring Lowry if they want to.
IMO even if their game is different they’ll be filling essentially the same role. That’s the main reason I mention them together.
I agree. I don’t really see the appeal of reuniting DeRozan and Lowry in their mid- to late-30’s in NY. When they were in their primes they topped out as a middle of the road team. Knicks are already that.
There’s really no one in this year’s FA class I’d break the bank for. Rather roll the cap room over or try and absorb a player via trade.
I know this may seem silly but Gordon from Houston would help the Knicks. Affordable salary and a piece that can have a immediate impact without holding so many rookies. Houston is taking in all these draft picks and looks to be in the same position next year. May NYK, Houston, and a third team could get Gordon to the Knicks and another top 20 pick. Houston loses the (don’t quote me on this) 16th pick and 3rd team (pending on pick and/or player) may receive Knicks 19th pick and one of Houston first round picks (besides the number 2 selection, unless is a Star Studded player who’s young like Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, or even Jaylen Brown. Not saying any 3rd club would offer a top player for scraps. It would take brain work obviously
Ha, interesting. All three of those players have been heavily connected to GSW too.
Why did Raptors and Rockets interview Keon Johnson?
Johnson should be around 10th pick
Because maybe they are doing their due diligence if the possibility of a trade comes along they can turn down. Or maybe they may look to acquire another pick in the draft by trading someone from their roster, or future picks…
Sports map Houston rumors
Rockets plan to trade picks and John Wall to 76ers for Ben Simmons
John Wall has a big Wallet
Trade picks for a worse player than wall on offense ?? That doesn’t make sense only if they wanna get out of wall deal. Even tho Ben makes likes 30 mill
Don’t be ridiculous. The Sixers have to attach picks in any trade involving Simmons. No one is taking him unless Philly gives up multiple firsts.
Like Wizz did wth Wall ??
Yet the same could be said for John Wall
this “Wallet” joke lost its comedic value so long ago. ive seen a new “Wallet” comment each day for the past week it seems.
At this point, I’d think the Knicks would consider a package of all their picks this year and in ‘23 for anything in the top 4-7 along with Robinson if they can get closer to 4 so they can sharpen the roster/bench in time for next years free agent crop. This year isn’t the year for FAs, but next year with a draft pick and set roster, I think they’d be able to get that FA @ max they’ve been looking for.
Just as the Knicks will not want to bring in 3 rookies, particularly when drafted @ 19, 21 and 32 (3 of 14), neither will any of their trade partners. Like last year, I could see them using a high 2nd before the drat to move one of the picks up a few spots. Draft day trades of picks, start with the team trading down. Knicks can want whatever they want, it doesn’t mean another team is going to give up draft position.
If the Knicks are serious about moving up for a top 10 player, they’ll have to bring assets like Toppin, a future 1st and perhaps their cap space into play. After the top 5 picks (which I don’t see moving for anything outside the top 5), I’m not sure there’s a player worth giving up future assets for. I’d prefer to trade a pick forward, and pick up a future 1st’s or two for currency in deals. It’s supposedly a deep draft. If that’s true, teams may value a 20-ish pick more than a couple of future protected 1st’s.
They need to use their second rounders on draft and stash shooters and hope one of them pans out eventually. They don’t need more young guys whose ceiling is the 9th man in a rotation in 3 years.
I really like Usman Garuba for the Knicks w #21 tho he’s probably a really good fit to Pelicans, but 10 seems to high there for Usman
Kispert would be of great interest as well, might have to trade 19 and that early second to get up to around 15/16 tho (if he even falls that much)
I don’t buy the notion they “don’t have enough room “for 2 first rders
They can always trade later,,,draft a good center Kai Jones/ Sengun trade Mitch later if you must for value/$$$ savings . Having too many young assets and a buncha cap has NEVER been a problem for any NBA team
Young assets are never a problem, true, especially cheap / controllable late 1st rounders. But, given a choice, it might be better (vs two late 1st round draftees) to have one higher draftee, or one such late draftee and a future 1st. Can’t have too many of the latter either.
1st rounders, who don’t play regular minutes, can depreciate faster than a new Ferrari (which is one of the reasons I never got one, among a few others). 1st round picks generally don’t. They also don’t take up a roster spot or have a salary a trade destination might have to assume.
Hear ya but I don’t think 19 & 21 could move up far enough to make a Huge impact…… From what Ive read this draft is deep and after about the 6 pick 7-25 ish are all in the same tier (ish)
I mean what your saying is {almost universally true} so you’d have to wonder why the other team would do it…….
Not a draft guru by any means but I like the Kispert fit….altho that probably means Toppin needs to be shopped …. Also think Thibs would Love Garuba ,then the cap money goes to the guards.
Perhaps 19 and 21 could fetch 10 from New Orleans –
They could take Garuba or Sengun (whoever falls) and a shooter as well…They really need {multiple } cheap rotation pieces as most of their contributors are payed or going too be real soon
My Q would be whats so spicy at 10 that you can’t live without that wouldnt be there @ 19 and 21 tho for the Knicks….