Breaking down trade-up opportunities for the Knicks in the 2021 NBA Draft
If early reports are to be believed, this year’s draft might be full of movement around the league. The Knicks find themselves well-positioned, with two first round picks, an early second, and loads of cap space to make moves. Who are some of the teams New York could target to try to move up in the draft?
With another season in the books, draft season is in full swing, and with the event approaching Quickley (I tried my hardest not to make the pun, believe me), the Knicks find themselves well equipped with capital in order to acquire just about anyone they please. Coming off the season of promise that was the 2020-21 campaign, the vibes are immaculate, the buzz is at a fever pitch, and the future is nothing but bright.
As reward for their regular season prowess, the Knicks were bestowed the 19th pick, winning a tiebreaker against the Atlanta Hawks, who also finished with the same record. Surprisingly, fortune favored the Knicks again as they gained the 21st pick after the Mavericks’ pick won a 3-way tiebreaker between them, the Lakers, and the Blazers (have the Knicks lost since the Porzingis trade? Doesn’t feel like it). When the Knicks traded Marcus Morris last year, in addition to receiving the Clippers’ first, they also received a second round pick from Detroit this year, which falls at 32, almost akin to having another first. Finally, in a trade that sent out OAKAAK Austin Rivers, the Knicks effectively swapped second round picks with the Sixers and now hold the 58th pick. Not too shabby.
The history
Pick 19
2020: Saddiq Bey, Villanova — Detroit Pistons
2019: Luka Samanic, KK Olimpija (Slovenia) – San Antonio Spurs
2018: Kevin Huerter, University of Maryland – Atlanta Hawks
2017: John Collins, Wake Forest – Atlanta Hawks
2016: Malik Beasley, Florida State – Denver Nuggets
2015: Jerian Grant, Notre Dame – Washington Wizards
2014: Gary Harris, Michigan St – Denver Nuggets
2013: Sergey Karasey, Russia – Cleveland Cavaliers
2012: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure – Orlando Magic
2011: Tobias Harris, Tennessee – Charlotte Bobcats
2010: Avery Bradley, Texas – Boston Celtics
The 19th pick has been on a roll the past few years, producing four solid rotation players in the last five drafts. It was also the pick used to select Kenny Payne and website namesake Rod Strickland, so you already know it’s blessed.
Pick 21
2020: Tyrese Maxey, Kentucky — Philadelphia 76ers
2019: Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga – Oklahoma City Thunder
2018: Grayson Allen, Duke – Utah Jazz
2017: Terrance Ferguson, Australia – Oklahoma City Thunder
2016: DeAndre’ Bembry, St. Joseph’s – Atlanta Hawks
2015: Justin Anderson, Virginia – Dallas Mavericks
2014: Mitch McGary, Michigan – Oklahoma City Thunder
2013: Gorgui Dieng, Louisville – Utah Jazz
2012: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State – Boston Celtics
2011: Nolan Smith, Duke University – Portland Trail Blazers
2010: Craig Brackins, Iowa State University – Oklahoma City Thunder
The 21st pick is less glowing, but has been on the uptick recently, also producing rotation talents at its slot. Also gave us Knicks legend Nate Robinson, so no slander here.
Pick 32
2020: Vernon Carey Jr., Duke — New Orleans Hornets
2019: KZ Okpala, Stanford — Miami Heat
2018: Jevon Carter, West Virginia — Memphis Grizzlies
2017: Davon Reed, Miami — Phoenix Suns
2016: Ivica Zubac, Serbia — Los Angeles Lakers
2015: Montrezl Harrell, Louisville — Houston Rockets
2014: KJ McDaniels, Clemson — Philadelphia 76ers
2013: Alex Abrines, Spain — Oklahoma City Thunder
2012: Tomas Satoransky, Spain — Washington Wizards
2011: Justin Harper, University of Richmond — Cleveland Cavaliers
2010: Dexter Pittman, University of Texas — Miami Heat
Couple gems, couple projects that never panned out, pretty standard for an early second. Same pick used to draft Steve Novak, so we really can’t lose.
What can the Knicks do?
Simply put: a lot. They have three picks in the top 32, excess cap space that can be used in order to facilitate deals, and future capital that could also be used to sweeten the pot if need be. History shows that the value of their picks would likely be able to get them into the mid-late lottery range. Some teams that could potentially be trade partners with the Knicks include Golden State, Indiana, and New Orleans. Here's some deals to establish precedent before we get into the candidates:
2013
2014
2017
And now on to the trade candidates…
Indiana
After a disappointing season, Indiana finds itself in the lottery for the first time since 2014. They’ve all but stated that they want to return to the playoff picture in 2022, and the mindset around the team is to find an immediate contributor as players such as TJ McConnell and Doug McDermott approach free agency. Chris Duarte is a name that has been associated heavily with Indiana, however, taking him at 13 may be seen as a reach. If the Knicks were to offer 19 and 32, the frugal franchise would be able to get one of the upperclassmen wings in the back half of the draft while also being able to take a swing at a low-risk, high-upside project if they chose to do so.
Golden State
Golden State’s predicament is well known around the league. Despite missing the playoffs the last two years, they have one of the highest tax bills in the league and find themselves at an organizational crossroads, trying to develop their young talent and pushing their chips in for one more shot at a title. In order to save them millions on luxury tax payments, the Knicks could take on Kevon Looney, who recently opted into his $5 million deal, and offer pick 19 for the ability to move up to 14.
New Orleans
New Orleans has decisions to make regarding Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart this offseason, and have expressed a desire to move off Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams after their disappointing campaigns last season. Adams signed a two-year, $35 million extension last offseason, while Bledsoe has one guaranteed year at $18 million and a second year that carries a $3.9 million cap hit if he were to be non-guaranteed (the cap hit can be stretched and it would count for $1.3 million over three years). I personally wouldn’t look to take on Adams, but the Knicks could be suitors to take on Bledsoe by offering one of their firsts plus the 32nd pick in order to move all the way to top 10.
Last year, the Knicks maneuvered the draft masterfully, with a savvy move that saw them trade with Utah (which this author predicted, by the way) for the 23rd pick, just to move down again to 25 and pick up 33 in the process. This year, armed with more capital and a year of experience on the draft, the Knicks should once again treat us to an intriguing draft night.
